Progress Updates
Jan 2026 Update: Collaborators have already pledged support covering 35% of Phase 1 resources. Be part of this initiative and contribute as a collaborator to help drive the research forward.
Join the collaboration by filling this Google Form: Link To Form
Contact for collaboration: [email protected]
Nepal Action Research for Tourism Solutions - Governance Lab
About the Research & How to Get Involved
Tourism experts from the public and private sectors, as well as academia, are supporting this research initiative. Their input informs discussions and engagement activities, supporting evidence-based analysis for improving governance, safety, and sector performance.
Governance Lab is leading a research initiative in collaboration with sector experts and entrepreneurs to diagnose gaps, inefficiencies, and misalignments in Nepal’s tourism sector, generating evidence on where governance structures, financial flows, and stakeholder incentives break down—and where targeted reforms can have the greatest impact.
This study is two-fold. One part continuously researches Nepal’s tourism landscape—how the sector actually functions, who makes decisions, and where money flows through the tourism value chain. Running in parallel, the second part focuses on finding real solutions to the problems tourism faces, using this growing body of evidence to design fixes that make sense for Nepal.
This is not another tourism study that gathers dust. The first phase has already produced results, formally calling for three concrete reforms in Nepal’s tourism system, based on clear evidence rather than assumptions. The next phase moves straight into action with a pilot in the Everest Region, mapping the full tourism ecosystem on the ground and developing evidence-based, practical reform ideas that are realistic and implementable.
By funding this work, you position yourself as one of the few private-sector pioneers actively shaping the future of Nepal tourism, not just reacting to policy changes or market shifts. You gain early access to insights, influence over reform thinking, and a seat at the table where solutions are designed. In practical terms, this leads to clearer rules, smoother systems, better coordination, safer destinations, and stronger long-term stability for your business. This is smart leadership—understanding tourism deeply, backing real solutions, and helping move the entire industry forward.
🔎 More info & methodology: [ PDF Link]
What Collaborators Can Expect
By participating as a collaborator, you will receive:
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First access to research outputs (reports, briefs, presentations) and the opportunity to provide feedback before final publication.
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Invitation to internal consultation meetings to discuss findings and recommendations.
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Monthly tourism updates specifically curated for contributors.
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Opportunities to network with government, private sector, and academic stakeholders through organized sessions
For more information about the research, methodology, and ongoing findings, please see the sections below.
The research combines evidence-based analysis, stakeholder engagement, and actionable recommendations to provide a practical, data-driven approach that integrates government, private sector, and community perspectives, moving beyond diplomatic reporting needs toward effective national planning, safety, and sectoral development.
Nepal’s tourism ecosystem is diverse, encompassing trekking, heritage sites, wildlife, wellness tourism, and festivals. Unlocking its full potential requires understanding the complex interactions between national ministries, local governments, private operators, and communities. Improved governance, financial management, and data systems can enhance transparency, safety, and equitable growth.
The research is led by the Governance Lab (GovLab), a private think-and-do tank, and includes Dr. Nisha Onta, Aanandita Shrestha, and Pratisha Joshi.
Phase 1: Focused Scoping Study (Jan 2026 – Mar 2026)
Title: Mapping Governance and Financial Flows in Nepal’s Tourism Sector: A Value Chain Multi-Stakeholder Study
Objective: Everest Region pilot study to identify governance overlaps, map financial flows, and surface formal and informal actors within its tourism value chain.
Core Research Questions
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Tourism Governance and Institutional Fragmentation: How do overlapping mandates among the ministries and agencies affect coordination, decision-making, and service delivery?
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Financial Flows and Inefficiencies: How does tourism-generated income circulate through the value chain, and where are major inefficiencies or missed revenue opportunities (e.g., unregulated services, permit fees, VAT refunds)?
Activities
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Finalizing research questions and methodology
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Reviewing tourism policies, laws, and regulations
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Mapping stakeholders across national and local levels
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Conducting interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys
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Tracking financial flows, including permits, VAT, and service revenues
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Developing preliminary governance and value chain maps
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Preparing draft recommendations for actionable reforms
Contact for Phase 1 collaboration: [email protected]
Key Findings from the Value Chain Study
So far, our study has identified systemic governance and financial gaps:
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Fragmented permit and licensing systems causing delays and inefficiencies
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Lack of institutional coordination, especially for high-risk or restricted tourism areas
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Weak regulatory enforcement, allowing unregistered or illegal operators to function
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Limited tourism data, constraining planning, safety oversight, and performance evaluation
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Underutilized technical expertise, with experienced individuals not engaged in policy design
Priority Reforms
The Phase 1 value chain study highlights key gaps and informs three priority reforms:
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One-Door Policy: Centralized system for tourism permits and licenses to reduce bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and strengthen safety oversight.
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Ministry Technicalization: Transition the Ministry of Tourism into a technically staffed, data-driven institution for consistent governance and streamlined processes.
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Open Tourism Data Access: Established a standardized, real-time, Nepal-focused tourism data system to support planning, forecasting, and evidence-based decision making.
Stakeholder Engagement Insights (Aug 2025 – Dec 2025)
Multiple stakeholder meetings with public sector, private sector and academia in tourism reaffirmed the urgency of tourism reforms:
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Systemic Challenges Identified:
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Fragmented permit systems, especially in restricted areas.
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Limited coordination and weak enforcement of licensing.
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No integrated, country-wide tourism data system.
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Governance and safety gaps threaten Nepal’s international tourism competitiveness.
Action Plan:
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Immediate: Launch Everest Region value chain pilot, map governance and financial flows, and share preliminary insights with stakeholders.
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Short-term (3 months): Complete Phase 1 research, validate findings with stakeholders, and develop a structured stakeholder database.
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Medium-to-long-term: Establish regular engagement cycles, formalize a coordinating entity, scale regional teams, and prepare proposals to support sectorwide reforms.
Phase 2: Comprehensive Sector-Wide Study (Proposed for 2026)
Objective: Multi-level analysis to inform long-term governance, financial, and operational reforms.
Proposed Focus Areas:
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Policy implementation and decentralization at provincial and local levels
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Equity in tourism development and community-based initiatives
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Segment-specific governance gaps across trekking, wellness, heritage, festivals, and wildlife
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Sustainability and heritage protection mechanisms
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Governance innovation and reform readiness (digital permit systems, multi-agency coordination)
Methodology:
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Qualitative: Case studies, interviews, focus group discussions
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Quantitative: Expanded surveys across tourist segments and locations
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Participatory: Continuous engagement with government, private sector, and communities
Expected Outputs:
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Comprehensive deep-dive report on Nepal’s tourism governance
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Two policy briefs (governance and financial reforms)
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Stakeholder presentation deck for dissemination
Contact for Phase 2 collaboration: [email protected]
Conclusion
The Nepal Action Research for Tourism Solutions is an independent, evidence-driven initiative designed to strengthen Nepal’s tourism governance, safety, and economic performance. Phase 1 findings directly inform actionable reforms, including the OneDoor Policy, technicalizing the Ministry of Tourism, and establishing open-access tourism data systems. Phase 2 will expand these insights to deliver a sector-wide roadmap for sustainable, equitable, and efficient tourism development, positioning Nepal as a globally competitive and well-governed tourism destination.
