Impact of 2015 Earthquake on Nepal's Tourism Industry

This report discusses the impact of the 2015 earthquake on Nepal's tourism industry and recommends policy measures to improve disaster management. It also covers legal and regulatory concerns, stakeholders, and the tourism and hospitality industry.

Running Head: EARTHQUAKE HIT NEPAL TOURISM
EARTHQUAKE HIT NEPAL TOURISM
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Executive summary
In 2015 an earthquake hit Nepal so fatally that it created huge damage to the tourism industry
with the loss of life. In this regard, the purpose of this report is to create a better understanding of
the risk in tourism industry and how far the government is able to take measures in making the
tourism industry better. The report also deals with a number of government regulatory
frameworks and finds out the gaps in the mechanism. Later on, the policy objectives and
stakeholders engagement supports the government measures to create a better communication. In
a conclusion, the report encompasses the remedy in the form of refurbish the risks and disaster
management and as a result of that the tourism industry will revive itself.

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Overview of the incident.................................................................................................................3
Recommended policy draft..............................................................................................................4
Overview of the tourism and hospitality.....................................................................................4
Legal and regulatory concerns.....................................................................................................5
Policy objectives..........................................................................................................................6
Stakeholders.................................................................................................................................7
Validation statement........................................................................................................................8
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
Reference.........................................................................................................................................9

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Introduction
A severe earthquake had hit Nepal in 2015 and with the loss of life and property, the
tourism industry was affected extremely. In this context, the purpose of this report is to identify
the government initiatives and the gaps that must be filled up. In this regard, the report also
encompasses the policy planning and the stakeholders’ engagement so that the country can take
proper initiatives in dire situation. Finally the report concludes with a validation statement that
portrays vitality and effectiveness of the recommended measures.
Overview of the incident
On April 25 and May 12 earthquakes struck the Central Nepal that caused severe effect
on not only the animals and humans but also damaged the Nepal tourism in a great deal of
manner. The devastating earthquake hit the floor and as a result of that the heritage sites and
temples were reduced to dust. The tremor was measured 7.8 on the Richter scale that took out a
death toll of 9,000 people and injured 22,000 (Sarkar 2015). Several million people lost their
homes and month of food crisis created a debacle in Nepal. There are multiple media report and
government accounts that corroborated the fact that due to food crisis, shortage of energy
supplies and damage of infrastructure led the country into the verge of a collapse. Indeed,
tourism which is one of the major contributors of Nepalese tourism became affected so badly
that the GDP of the country decreased in a rapid pace. According to Singh Khadka (2015) the
following years after the earthquake the number of foreign visitors was also reduced at an
extensive manner that where in 2014 the amount of visitors was 790,000 the following year it
amounted almost a third with estimation of 530,000 visitors. In fact, Kathmandu was one of the

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most affected areas where thousands of households destroyed. Durbar Square which was one of
the UNESCO Heritage sites and full of ancient temples and wealth bulldozed by the huge
tremoring (Bennett 2016).
Recommended policy draft
Overview of the tourism and hospitality
It can be stated that the Nepalese tourism is contributed the most in the economy of the
country. As per the government report, it can be argued that the Nepalese tourism witnessed
17.1% from India, 11.1% from China and 8.4% from US (Ghimire 2018). The highest number of
arrival is observed in the month of October and followed by February. As a matter of fact, it can
be identified that there is no such gender differences among the visitors coming in Nepal. In
compare to the female percentage the percentage of male arrival was 54% by 2017
(Kathmandupost.ekantipur.com 2018). In addition to this, the age category is primarily
dominated by the visitors of an age from 16 to 45. As per the report of the Nepalese tourism
sector it can be stated that nearly two third of the arrivals were belonged to the age of 16-45
(74%) as per the year 2017 (Carswell 2017). This can be identified as a growth of 25% in the
visitors in compare to the year 2016. This report proved that the Nepal tourism is growing in a
stable way and the government initiatives are played pivotal role in the process.
As per the visiting spots are concerned, the Nepal government and tourism board offered
a number of tourist destinations that are beautiful and adventurers and at the same time costs
very low. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal is one of the tourist attractions in Nepal. The Durbar
Square is the most popular place in Kathmandu and also recognised by UNESCO as one of the
World Heritage sites (Chmutina et al. 2017). Besides this, the Nepal tourism is popular for its

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trekking and mountaineering activities. Mount Everest, the world’s largest mountain peak lies
here that generates thrill and adventure to most of the travellers. In fact, climbing Everest is
considered to be a dream for the mountaineers across the world and in the seasons of March to
May and September to December are the peak seasons for Everest climbing (Lee 2016).
Legal and regulatory concerns
There are several numbers of legislative and regulatory frameworks in Nepal tourism that
are committed to develop a better framework for the sustainability of the tourism business. As far
as the government initiatives are concerned, the authority is more likely to establish a disaster
risk reduction framework to combat with the natural disaster like earthquake. There are multitude
of involvement of both government and non-government agencies to combat with the natural
disaster. Ministry of Home Affairs in association of the Ministry of Federal Affairsand Local
Development plays a key role in this response to act pro-actively during the natural calamities
such as floods, landslide, windstorms and earthquake (Soden and Palen 2016). As a matter of
fact, the Ministry of Urban Development also provides ample of assistance to the cause of the
disaster preparedness (Dizhur et al. 2015). There are a number of acts and regulations associated
with this means. As per the Natural Relief Act of 1982 it can be argued that the purpose of this
act is to cooperate with the national and local authorities in order to combat with the natural
disasters. Furthermore, the act also provisions about a framework of Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council so that the government is able to protect the public life, properties,
cultural heritage and minimising the disaster risk (Daly et al. 2017). However, the earthquake of
2015 proved that it was not adequate to follow such framework as the Nepal government failed
to take necessary steps to protect Nepal. As a result of that the country faced severe challenges
and the earthquake literally ransacked the region entirely. It can be advocated that there are a

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number of foreign aid and assistance that the Nepal government got after the earthquake but that
did not approve the efficiency of the Disaster Risk Management and Disaster Risk Reduction
policies that the Nepal government has followed (Oven et al. 2016). In fact, there are huge gaps
in the policy and framework that the Nepal government has followed and therefore the death toll
increases in a sporadic manner.
Policy objectives
In order to maintain a better and effective disaster management policy for not only secure
the life of the people but also continue the commercial activities such as tourism there are some
policy objectives on which the Nepalese government must put focus on. Therefore, the
objectives are,
 It can be argued that the disaster risk and management policy of Nepal is not so effective
that it was supposed to. Therefore, it requires further investigation to the disaster
management framework and imply a better strategy and technology to ensure the safety
of the people and the economy as well.
 As a matter of fact, it is important for the Nepal government to incorporate the tourism
department and private agencies to control and resolve the natural disaster crisis. As the
country primarily based on the tourism for its economic resource therefore, putting focus
on the tourism agencies as an important actor in the disaster risk management will be
beneficial.
 In addition to this, it is also essential for the government to amend the existing the risk
management policies and provide a better risk management regulatory framework that is
effective and swift. Procuring such measure must also have provisions for the tourism

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industries and have to ensure the safety to the tourism industries in case of any natural
calamity.
Stakeholders
Stakeholders Role
Foreign agencies and government The role of the foreign agencies or the NGOs is to
cooperate with the Nepal government to make
proper planning regarding the disaster
management. Moreover, the foreign governments
can also aid financially and materialistically to the
Nepal government in case of the natural disasters.
Royal Nepalese army Army played a huge role in the rescue and disaster
operations. It can be argued that in many cases
where the civilians and disaster management
members are failed to rescue the civilians. Army
has the training and the tools that can be utilised in
course of disaster management.
Government departments Primarily the Ministry of Home Affairs, Disaster
and Risk management department and the Finance
Ministry is responsible to assess the intensity of the
disaster and evaluate the damages both in terms of
life and wealth.
Tourism agencies The tourism industries can create awareness among
both the citizens and the foreign visitors and
provide them proper instructions regarding the

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disaster management.
Tourists and common people It is also important take tourists and common
people under considerations in order to combat
with the natural disasters and prevent further loss of
life and stock.
Validation statement
The Nepal government has initiated some risk and disaster management measures with
the help of international agencies and NGOs. This framework encapsulates a number of
stakeholders from the government agencies to the private tourism companies as well in order to
establish a better communication and cooperation among all. Moreover, in course of procuring
the new mechanism some technological measures should be implemented and the government
also keeps an eye on it. It can be argued that the purpose of the government is to do any means to
ensure safety of the people and safeguarding the interests of the tourism industry for the
betterment of the country.
Conclusion
Therefore, it can be concluded that the report not only dealt with the Nepal disaster and
its fatal consequences on human life but also widen up the discussion to illustrate the adverse
impact of the natural disaster on the Nepal tourism as well. As a matter of fact, the report also
developed policy draft to deal with the devastation. In this point of view the report is highly
relevant and pragmatic to reduce further loss of lives and stock in Nepal as well as will be able to
retain its excellence in tourism.

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Reference
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News. Available at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-25/nepals-tourism-industry-
lagging-behind-a-year-from-quakes/7354282 [Accessed 6 Oct. 2018].
Carswell, H. (2017). After the quake – how Nepal's tourist industry is bouncing back.
[online] The Independent. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/nepal-
earthquake-tourist-industry-bouncing-back-a7688611.html [Accessed 6 Oct. 2018].
Chmutina, K., Rose, J., Shrestha, S.D. and Bhatta, D., 2017. Pathways to raising disaster risk
reduction awareness among the informal construction stakeholders: a case of Nepal.
Daly, P., Ninglekhu, S., Hollenbach, P., DuyneBarenstein, J. and Nguyen, D., 2017. Situating
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