Assessing Tourism Potential In Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nepal

Abstract

Tourism is one of the most promising driver and contributor of the world economy having significant role in sustainable development, economic upliftment and social benefits. It has the potential to contribute towards environmental protection and poverty reduction. Prior to investment in tourism, concerned authorities must know the condition of respective tourist resources, their attractiveness and levels of touristic demand. Very few studies in Nepal have made an effort to quantify the tourism potential in cultural, historical and religious sites such as Bhaktapur Durbar Square. With an objective to assess the tourism potential of Bhaktapur Durbar Square using Weighted Sum Method, this study was carried out from start of June to the end of July in 2013. For this purpose, questionnaire survey with tourists, private businesses and public sector institutions; focus group discussion and key informant interview with tourism enterpreneur and local government officer was carried out. The tourism potential was found to be high with a strength of exceptionally rich cultural, historical and religious heritage, favourable geographical situation, positive image of local Newari food products and friendly and welcoming local people. The areas of weaknesses were lack of tourism infrastructures and services, lack of tourist information and weak management of tourist area. Hence, to utilise the tourism potential of Bhaktapur Durbar Square to the fullest for the economic upliftment of its inhabitants, promotional activities such as tourism fairs, festivals, cultural dances and events should be conducted at regular intervals with prompt security services.

Assessing elements of potential tourism resources in a historic city from host community and tourists’ viewpoints: A perspective from Iran

“…The tourists confirmed that they had appropriate access to handicrafts and local products in Yazd and this confirms the findings of similar studies (e.g. Al Mamun, Mitra, 2012;Neupane, Anup, Pant, 2013;Slehat, 2018). Also, in confirmation of Al Mamun and Mitra (2012), Neupane, Anup and Pant (2013), and Yan, Gao and Zhang (2017) tourists admitted that they were satisfied by the variety of local foods.…”

“…Finally, tourism potential was quantified based on individual sites or clusters. Neupane, Anup and Pant (2013) assessed the tourism potential of Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nepal, using the weighted sum method from June to July 2013. For this purpose, a questionnaire survey with tourists, private businesses and public sector institutions, as well as focus group discussion and key informant interviews with tourism entrepreneurs and a local government official, were carried out.…”

“…Al Mamun, Mitra, 2012;Neupane, Anup, Pant, 2013;Slehat, 2018). Also, in confirmation of Al Mamun and Mitra (2012), Neupane, Anup and Pant (2013), and Yan, Gao and Zhang (2017) tourists admitted that they were satisfied by the variety of local foods. On the other hand, tourists have given little awareness of a comprehensive tourism plan for the future.…”

Environmental Impacts of Community-Based Home stay Ecotourism in Nepal

“…Old people who are familiar in Th aru and Bote culture are provided opportunity to generate money from diff erent handicraft s. Youths who were attracted towards modern culture are now trained in their cultural dances, preparation of traditional recipes,and traditional costumes. Preservation of culture and local handicraft was given high priority as observed by Neupane et al (2013).…”

Landscape aesthetics, tourism, and change: Case studies in Nepal

“…Although heritage tourism has high potential in Nepal, few studies have focused on cultural historical and religious sites and their linkage to tourism (Folmar, 2003;Neupane, KC, & Pant, 2013;Nyaupane & Budruk, 2009;Pandey et al, 1995;Pradhan, 2014). The changing traditional societies have also been studied (Raspaud & Hallé, 2014).…”