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Nepal is shifting its tourism strategy from attracting larger numbers of visitors to promoting “quality tourism” as policymakers and industry leaders seek to increase tourism revenue by drawing higher-spending travelers interested in wellness, spirituality, adventure and luxury experiences.
The renewed focus comes as stakeholders review the proposed Tourism Law Amendment Bill, 2081, which they say should serve not only as a regulatory framework but also as a long-term roadmap for transforming Nepal’s tourism industry.
At an expert consultation organized by the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal (ACORAB) under the UNDP’s Parliament Support Project, tourism entrepreneurs, legal experts and industry representatives stressed that the legislation must address the sector’s evolving needs following the COVID-19 pandemic and changing global travel trends.
Chair of the International Relations and Tourism Committee of Nepal’s House of Representatives, Sumnima Udas, said the country needs to move beyond its traditional dependence on trekking and mountaineering by promoting high-value tourism segments such as wellness, spiritual, film and lake tourism.
Although Nepal welcomes around 1.1 million tourists annually, the average visitor spends only about US$40 per day, far below regional competitors such as Sri Lanka, where average daily expenditure is around US$148. Udas said increasing tourist spending, rather than simply boosting arrival numbers, should become a national priority.
Tourism entrepreneurs also called for reforms to improve the investment climate. Hotel Association Nepal President Binayak Shah proposed a “one-door policy” to simplify administrative procedures for investors and tourism operators while encouraging eco-tourism, green tourism and wellness tourism through supportive regulations.
Safety was another major concern. Legal expert Hari Prasad Mainali recommended stricter safety standards for adventure tourism, including minimum climbing experience requirements for high-altitude expeditions such as Mount Everest and the introduction of digital monitoring systems. Mountaineering representative Lakpa Phuti Sherpa urged the government to encourage greater participation of women in mountaineering through targeted incentives.
The discussions come as new government data reveal a paradox in Nepal’s tourism sector. Foreign tourists stayed an average of 16.34 days in 2025—the longest on record—but spent only US$33.09 per day, the second-lowest daily spending level ever recorded and well below the regional average of US$100-150.
While the longer stays suggest visitors are exploring more of Nepal’s natural and cultural attractions, businesses say the country has failed to convert extended visits into higher tourism earnings. Daily tourist spending has steadily declined since peaking at US$79.10 in 2003.
Industry leaders attribute the problem to persistent infrastructure and safety concerns. Hotelier Yogendra Shakya said unsafe air travel and poor road conditions discourage affluent tourists despite Nepal’s growing number of world-class luxury resorts.
Nepal has remained on the European Commission’s air safety blacklist since 2013, while recurring air crashes, weak road infrastructure and limited international promotion continue to affect its global competitiveness.
Even so, investment in premium hospitality is rising, with luxury properties such as Shinta Mani Mustang, Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort & Spa, The Terraces Resort & Spa and Kavya Resort opening in recent years.
Stakeholders believe that with stronger safety standards, improved infrastructure and a modern tourism law focused on quality over quantity, Nepal can better capitalize on its rich natural and cultural heritage while significantly increasing tourism’s contribution to the national economy.
