By: Chiranjivi Neupane
In my perspective, youth empowerment program targeting the Tourism year 2020 is very essential for tourism branding and economic development of our country Nepal. As the government has planned to meet its goal of 2 million tourists by 2020 and in the limelight of giving extra attention to social justice and security, which I think are integral parts of labor spirit motivation instigation; Utilizing youth in the fostering and advocating about tourism through different means and the medium is of utmost importance.
Architecture and infrastructure development to unique entrepreneurship based empowerment through word of mouth should be done. Rural Tourism, Yogic and Sattvic Tourism, Agricultural Tourism, Labor centric tourism, Tourism- exchange program, natural-nature based tourism to technology-based tourism-should be uniquely identified with innovative entrepreneurs making them coordinated bodies with regular discussions and written agenda and events need to be done on time and again basis. Having said this, all other lists of options should be known too.
To imagine a country of prosperity, it is of utmost importance to boost tourism knowledge and tourism understanding, even more in the present context. For sustainable tourism development and highly attractive tourism industry development – Tourism industry needs to be catered as highly glamourous as essence/spirit but as grounded and raw as it can get by connecting the dots of tourism driving force. Being a research-oriented and data-oriented person myself; I believe that research can touch upon any sector widely and Research evangelists can do the same for tourism sector development and continuous sustainable tourism development too.
Destination enrichment which can include- immigration, governance, culture, and heritage should all come together to create a brand of its own. Unleashed of even the smallest nook and corner of a place should be done to understand the building blocks of what history it possess and what potential it has. Youth-driven internal tourism can definitely play a role here if combined with course research.
Perceptual understanding of certain area to create flocking touristy should be made understood to the local mongers seeking to develop the area for their benefit in a developing country like Nepal. Well! I am talking about happenings as seen and felt being an internal regular tourist myself.
Value addition and profit generation directly proportional to economic benefit should be well categorized by stakeholders by understanding the importance of travel and tourism business. Shared benefit and participatory brand value generation can play a vital role in tourism increment too.
Tourism is also a key to foster trade for a developing nation like Nepal. While talking about a perceptual change in the tourism developer side, we shouldn’t forget the behavior of tourism consumer- who actually sees tourism as- gaining relaxation, peace, quality time, a holiday well spent. These should be the demand generation factors- luxurious essence as raw as it can get which I have talked about earlier.
An enhanced integrated framework by true tourism lover-those understanding the value of youth engagement- seeing and overseeing the value of it in the real case should be well-formed aligning with the goals of Tourism Development for Nepal; after which I believe the achievement of 2 million tourists by 2020 can be well received in addition with profit on the economic side.
