Regional and Community Development

According to Honey (2009), “ecotourism
had become a significant economic activity, especially in developing countries, and was
being used as a tool for conservation and community development.” Ecotourism, in case of
Nepal, can be used as a tool for regional and community development which is very essential
for the sustainable development of the country where there has always been problem with
regional variation and discrimination. Proper practice of ecotourism can contribute to fill the
gap between different regions of the country and all people will experience development
equally. And dynamic promotion of ecotourism, rural community development can be easily
facilitated by encouraging local investment, enhancing agriculture and empowering socioeconomy
(MOPE, 2004). For example the impressive economic growth of Pokhara, the
development of Annapurna region and fast developing communities around the trekking and
protected areas are the precise examples of how ecotourism play a vital role for fast
community development. However there is always a risk for rapidly developing communities
on the basis of tourism since tourism is not year-round business – it is very seasonal and
susceptibly volatile in relation with national and international situations and scenarios. There
are many factors that determine sustainable tourism development such as security issues,
natural disasters, terrorism, political situations, and economic depression.