What Does It Mean That More Than Half of Nepalese Families Have Never Gone on a Trip?

A demographic survey conducted for the first time in Nepal has revealed that over half of the country’s families have at least one member who has never traveled for tourism in their lifetime, officials have disclosed. “More than half of the families have never visited any tourist destination during their lifetime. This is a very significant proportion,” said Dhundhiraj Lamichhane, Deputy Chief Statistician and Spokesperson at the National Statistics Office. “The contribution of domestic tourism is not as substantial as we might have anticipated.”

According to the domestic tourism survey, out of approximately 6.9 million households, 52% participated in domestic tourism, contributing around NPR 144 billion to the economy. The survey for the fiscal year 2081/82 (2024/25) indicated that annual expenditure on domestic and international tourism in Nepal totals about NPR 707 billion at current prices. Khem Lakai, President of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal, stated, “It is concerning to see domestic tourism, which has been a stable pillar for overall tourism, showing signs of weakening. Necessary measures must be taken.”

“If people from their own country cannot enjoy tourism, it suggests they are not prepared to travel. But Nepal is not such a country, and this perception should not be allowed to spread,” said PATA-Nepal President Khem Lakai. Deputy Chief Statistician and Spokesperson Dhundhiraj Lamichhane also noted that younger generations are leading in travel, with the youth making significant expenditures in domestic tourism and being most actively engaged in it.

According to him, while individuals up to age 44 travel frequently, Generation Z, those under 27 years old, are at the forefront of this movement. “This clearly contributes positively to the development of a tourism culture,” Lamichhane explained. “It is also necessary to reduce intermediate economic expenses. The survey shows that while the total economy in the fiscal year amounts to NPR 5.454 trillion, domestic tourism contributes approximately 2.65% of that,” he added.