Tourism and local communities in the Annapurna Region, Nepal.
Author(s)
Gurung, Hum
Buckley, Ralf
Castley, Guy
Jennings, Gayle
Year published
2008
Metadata
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This paper examines the role of mountain communities in the promotion of ecotourism in the Annapurna Conservation Area, western Nepal. The term 'tourism' does not exist in the local Nepali language suggesting that the concept is foreign in such cultures. However, in recent years, the herders, shepherds and retired Gurkha soldiers living in the hills and mountain communities of the southern Annapurna region have embraced tourism as a tool for biodiversity conservation, economic development and sustainable community development. This paper discusses the historical perspective of how western trekkers have explored the ...
View more >This paper examines the role of mountain communities in the promotion of ecotourism in the Annapurna Conservation Area, western Nepal. The term 'tourism' does not exist in the local Nepali language suggesting that the concept is foreign in such cultures. However, in recent years, the herders, shepherds and retired Gurkha soldiers living in the hills and mountain communities of the southern Annapurna region have embraced tourism as a tool for biodiversity conservation, economic development and sustainable community development. This paper discusses the historical perspective of how western trekkers have explored the virgin wilderness area and mountain environment promoting the socio-economic development of these communities. The local communities in partnership with the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) of the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) have become agents for promoting environmentally sustainable tourism destinations in Nepal. This paper also highlights the challenges of managing sustainable tourism destinations and the way forward, through the empowerment of local communities.
View less >
View more >This paper examines the role of mountain communities in the promotion of ecotourism in the Annapurna Conservation Area, western Nepal. The term 'tourism' does not exist in the local Nepali language suggesting that the concept is foreign in such cultures. However, in recent years, the herders, shepherds and retired Gurkha soldiers living in the hills and mountain communities of the southern Annapurna region have embraced tourism as a tool for biodiversity conservation, economic development and sustainable community development. This paper discusses the historical perspective of how western trekkers have explored the virgin wilderness area and mountain environment promoting the socio-economic development of these communities. The local communities in partnership with the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) of the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) have become agents for promoting environmentally sustainable tourism destinations in Nepal. This paper also highlights the challenges of managing sustainable tourism destinations and the way forward, through the empowerment of local communities.
View less >
Conference Title
Re-creating Tourism - New Zealand Tourism and Hospitality Rsearch Conference 2008
Publisher URI
Subject
Conservation and Biodiversity
Environmental Education and Extension
Tourism Management