Journal of Tourism & Adventure (2020) 3:1, 50-75 Journal of Tourism & Adventure COVID-19 Pandemic and its Impact on Tourism Industry in Nepal Nimesh Ulak Lecturer, IST College, Kathmandu
[email protected] Article Abstract Received 1 July 2020 Revised 23 August 2020 Th e article aims to measure the impact of novel coronavirus Accepted 28 August 2020 disease (COVID-19) pandemic on tourism industry in Nepal. Th e pause of tourism mobility for months due to an abrupt halt of transportation means; shuttered borders; and stay-at-home orders by government has brought adverse eff ects on Nepal’s tourism industry and its stakeholders. Likewise, airlines, accommodation, transport operators and other sub-sectors of Nepal are suff ering due to international travel bans. Th ere are Keywords spillover impacts of the pandemic on the socio-cultural structure, COVID-19, crisis human psychology and global economic system where tourism management, industry is no exception. Th e impacts are gradually unfolding. impacts, tourism Hence, the study also focuses on the preparedness and response industry and strategy of stakeholders for combating this pandemic which has uncertainty brought crisis and fear to Nepal’s tourism industry. Th e research is qualitative in its nature and followed basic/fundamental research type to expand knowledge on this topic which will shed light on the signifi cant impact on the tourism industry in Nepal. Th e study is based on both primary data collected through interviews with intended stakeholders and the review of several relevant secondary sources. Introduction Corresponding Editor According to Wu, Chen and Chan (2020), “COVID- Ramesh Raj Kunwar
[email protected] 19 is a contagious respiratory illness caused by novel Copyright © 2020 Author Published by: Janapriya Multiple Campus (JMC), Pokhara, Tribhuvan University, Nepal ISSN 2645-8683 Ulak: COVID-19 Pandemic and its Impact on Tourism Industry in Nepal 51 coronavirus” which was spread very fast (Baker & Rosbi, 2020, p.189) and has a long incubation period (Zaki & Mohamed, 2020, p.1).