Paryatan ma Nepali rastriyatako abibyakti

Scholars have argued that tourism is an important means to express nationalism. The use
of heritage, icons and symbols of identity not only presents the destination image of the
country but also advances the nationalist narrative by asserting how one’s nation is different
and distinctive from other nations. This paper articulates the engagement between tourism
and nationalism and illustrates how Nepali tourism has been involved in the expression of
Nepali nationalism. Data collected using the qualitative interviews with 18 professionals in
the tourism industry of Nepal shows that the existing tourism image of Nepal is based on the
imagery of Himalayan mountains, which is both exclusionary and fails to appreciate the
regional and cultural diversity. It marginalises the provincial identity and expresses a
‘pseudo’ Nepali nationalism. The paper suggests that there is a need to correct the image
based on unitary Nepali identity and tourism should present a more ‘authentic’ narrative of
Nepal that is contemporary, inclusive and that which appreciates its diverse identity.