With federal elections set for March 5, Nepal’s political heavyweights are wagering big on tourism as their vote-winner. Manifestos from the four largest parties spotlight aviation safety, new flight routes, and doubling visitor economies—a desperate bid to reclaim pre-COVID glory.
Uniform across platforms: commitments to delist from Europe’s aviation blacklist, boost international services from Pokhara and Lumbini airports, and negotiate seamless India connections. RSP’s Rabi Lamichhane amps it up, vowing a twofold surge in tourists, spending, and stay durations by 2029.
The numbers underscore urgency. Annual arrivals stuck at 1 million-plus for three years, far shy of 2019 highs. Crashes, shoddy highways, and marketing misses are the culprits, say insiders.
Bright spots persist: 2023 revenue hit NPR 327.9 billion ($2.5B), sustaining 1.19 million jobs—15.2% of employment—and adding 6.6% to GDP, dipping slightly from 2019’s 6.7%.
Campaign trails in Kathmandu and beyond echo these priorities. Voters, especially in gateway towns, demand action on safety after high-profile disasters. If elected parties follow through, Nepal could see a tourism renaissance. Skeptics warn of past unkept promises, but this election’s focus feels different—perhaps the push needed for safer skies and bustling trails.