The need for responsible tourism stems from awareness – awareness of environmental issues, degrading qualities of life support system. Tourism on a global scale is one of the key factors in environmental change. Awareness of environmental issues however is causing a massive transformation in tourism with travellers and locals seeking ways of building constituencies with the shared goal of making tourism sustainable and responsible.
Responsible tourism is any form of tourism that can be consumed in a more responsible way. “Responsible tourism is tourism which: minimizes negative social, economic and environmental impacts. Generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities.
The tourism in Nepal contributes about 3.5% to GDP and 15% of total foreign exchange earning of the country. Besides the national income, there are about 257000 (in 1998) people in Nepal who gets employment due to tourism. The tourism in Nepal is one of the major sources of income for thousands of Nepalese people. But in the same way, due to the unmanaged and random tourism in Nepal, the trekking trails and the natural beauty are losing its originality with every passage of time. But fortunately, Nepal´s government has realized the negative impacts of the tourism in Nepal as has stepped several steps for the sustainable development of tourism in Nepal. Government of Nepal is also supported by different agencies.
The several agencies in Nepal are pleading many tourists by saying “leave only footprints and take only photographs.” If the originality and the actual beauty of the nature will get lost and the visit at the glinting places becomes visiting at the deserted lands. The concept of responsible tourism in Nepal was developed few years ago when the concerned persons o the trekking companies has realized the true status of tourism and its impact on nature. The tourist himself/ herself can do several things to fulfill his/her responsibility towards the nature while visiting to Nepal.
Some of the things that we do while you will visit Nepal.
- Use the respective trekking trails, campsites and resting places to reduce the environment pollution.
- Respect the local people and their culture, use homestay, locally owned hotels and lodges as much as possible.
- Avoid using the firewood instead use the alternatives source of firewood for cooking.
- Maintain cleanliness and hygiene. Use the proper dumping sites or the separate places for throwing waste materials.
- Preserve the originality of the nature by not disturbing the real presence of the nature.
- Use the locally available services provided by the local guides and porters so as to explore more about the trekking regions and to know more about their local tradition and culture.
- Remember every money that you will spent will be used in the development of the local surroundings, women´s empowerment, environmental conservation and other activities , so we urge you to spend wisely.