Abstract
Abstract
Nepal shows enormous opportunities to become a post-COVID tourist destination, and tourism entrepreneurship can contribute to Nepal's social and economic development. However, tourism entrepreneurship faces several bureaucratic and operational challenges. This paper employs a qualitative methodological approach to understand the entrepreneurial opportunities and challenges by interviewing Nepalese entrepreneurs who are at the forefront of various organisations. Some have served as members of the National Tourism Board of Nepal. The received data were analysed using a thematic approach. With illustrations from the views of tourism entrepreneurs and tourism officials, this paper notes that Nepalese tourism entrepreneurs are optimistic about their opportunities to run a successful business. The Nepalese tourism industry, however, has encountered challenges due to the need of adequate infrastructure for its sustainable growth, such as a lack of sufficient connectivity for aviation, a poorly managed ground transportation system, and poor-quality road networks. Similarly, technological backwardness, absence of effective tourism marketing strategies, recruitment and retention of skilled human resources, and unethical industry practices among the entrepreneurs are other major challenges faced by Nepalese tourism entrepreneurs. Should these issues be addressed, Nepal has enormous potential to become a successful and competent destination in the post-COVID global tourism market.
Nepal shows enormous opportunities to become a post-COVID tourist destination, and tourism entrepreneurship can contribute to Nepal's social and economic development. However, tourism entrepreneurship faces several bureaucratic and operational challenges. This paper employs a qualitative methodological approach to understand the entrepreneurial opportunities and challenges by interviewing Nepalese entrepreneurs who are at the forefront of various organisations. Some have served as members of the National Tourism Board of Nepal. The received data were analysed using a thematic approach. With illustrations from the views of tourism entrepreneurs and tourism officials, this paper notes that Nepalese tourism entrepreneurs are optimistic about their opportunities to run a successful business. The Nepalese tourism industry, however, has encountered challenges due to the need of adequate infrastructure for its sustainable growth, such as a lack of sufficient connectivity for aviation, a poorly managed ground transportation system, and poor-quality road networks. Similarly, technological backwardness, absence of effective tourism marketing strategies, recruitment and retention of skilled human resources, and unethical industry practices among the entrepreneurs are other major challenges faced by Nepalese tourism entrepreneurs. Should these issues be addressed, Nepal has enormous potential to become a successful and competent destination in the post-COVID global tourism market.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Entrepreneurship and Development in Nepal. Entrepreneurship and Development in South Asia: Longitudinal Narratives. |
| Editors | P Adhikari, J Mitra, S D Adhikari, R K Shrestha |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Pages | 15-35 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9789819765607 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9789819765591 |
| Publication status | Published - 28 Sept 2024 |