Abstract
We set out to assess the social impacts of tourism in a Community Based Tourism (CBT) destination by asking the following questions; (1) from a community and individual perspective, what are the major issues faced in a CBT destination?, and (2) is there any pattern to, or similarity between, quality of life and liveable environment impacts in a CBT destination? The Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) National Park in Nepal is used for the study area and where tourism is clearly an important contributor to the local economy. Despite high levels of resident and visitor satisfaction with tourism, survey results indicate that the major issues faced by communities and individuals in the Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone (SNPBZ) are related to uncontrolled tourism development. This is most evident in a lack of relevant skills and training, increasing time burden to cater for tourists, frustrations felt by residents during peak season, the impact of inbound migration, lack of community control and most importantly, the impact of waste and water pollution. Management of the SNPBZ is based on a multi-stakeholder system that includes local population participation, but it does not seem to be working very well. Our survey indicates that uncontrolled growth of tourism businesses is placing increasing pressures on traditional cultures and the environment, thus creating negative impacts on quality of live and liveable environment for residents. Without an effective management system that enhances the ability of communities and Park management to control the impact of tourism, the situation is very likely to worsen in the future.
Article Note
Sushma Bhatta & Robin Boustead, MyGHTi Research Project, Great Himalaya Trail, Kathmandu, Nepal, February, 2021.
About the authors
Director of the Great Himalaya Trail and sustainable tourism consultant to the Governments of Nepal and Bhutan www.greathimalayatrail.com. Email: robin@greathimalayatrail.com
Robin Boustead MBA is a senior consultant on sustainable agriculture and tourism development. He currently works on a range of projects in Nepal and Bhutan for The Netherlands government and the European Centre of Eco and Agro Tourism, he is also a certified sustainability auditor for Travelife and founder of the Great Himalaya Trail. Recent publications: Reframing the Sustainable Tourism Paradox (2020), Nepal Trekking & the Great Himalaya Trail (2020, 3rd edition), topographic map series of Nepal Himalaya (2019, 3rd edition) and Pictorial Guide to the Great Himalaya Trail (2019, 2nd edition).
Social research coordinator for the MyGHTi impact survey and field researcher for a British Academy project exploring menstrual stigmas and taboos in Nepal, Email: sushmabhatta29@gmail.com.
Sushma Bhatta, is a Nepal-based lead researcher and photographer for ‘Dignity Without Danger’ a project led by Liverpool John Moore University and research coordinator for the MyGHTi social impact surveys. She is also a blogger focusing on the day to day lives of people throughout the country. Fluent in 5 languages she has a background as a translator for the Carter Centre during Nepal’s 2013 Constitutional Elections, and remote area social work and agricultural development.
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