Pastoralism and Rangeland Management on the Tibetan Plateau in ...

4,30%
11,70%
5,70%
18,40%
16,50%
43,40%
Holiday Pleasure
Trekking & Mountaineering
Business
Pilgrimage
Official
Others
Source: Nepal Tourism Board 2007, quoted from Nepal Tourism Sector
Analysis 2008,
URL: http://asiantour.progetti.informest.it/market_analysis/nepal.pdf
Figure 2: Visitors’ Purpose (1997–2007)
The next category, which is rising relatively faster, is the tourists coming for
pilgrimage. Unlike holiday or trekking destination, no new religious site can
be created.
According to the preliminary findings of “Nepal departing visitor’s survey–2008”,
however, the trend differs in some categories. The findings indicate
that the adventure tourism has grown from 6 % in 2005 to 24 % in 2008. 16 This
is partly due to addition of exotic tourist activities. Rough water rafting, <strong>and</strong>
paragliding has attracted adventure sports lovers <strong>and</strong> Nepal has comparative
advantage in these areas.
2.2 Major Tourism Activities
Nepal is only 147,141 square kilometer in area, but the variety of tourist activities
it offers is incredible. Major tourist activities include mountaineering, trekking,
mountain flights, rock climbing, para-gliding, rafting/canoeing, bungy
jumping, <strong>and</strong> mountain biking <strong>and</strong> jungle safari. Even though the permanent
snow-line varies according to aspect <strong>and</strong> gradient, the l<strong>and</strong> above 5,000–6,000
meters is usually covered by snow <strong>and</strong> ice offering ultimate challenge to thous<strong>and</strong>s
of aspiring mountaineers. Over 300 snow covered peaks are open for
mountaineering. These mountains have also been places of attraction to saints,
philosophers, researchers <strong>and</strong> adventure lovers. At lower altitudes, trekking is
quite common where one can experience Nepal’s unbeatable combination of
16 Nepal Tourism Board 2008.
131
> > > 3. Eco-tourism <strong>and</strong> Nature Protection in Relation to <strong>Pastoralism</strong> <strong>and</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong> <strong>Management</strong>