Negative Effects of Earthquake 2015 for the Tourism Industry in Nepal, Case - Nagarkot

Nepal is a small landlocked country where tourism industry and its impacts are inseparable. The tourism industry is one of the largest growing commercial sector industries in the world which applies to Nepal, too. The main aim of this Bachelor’s thesis was to project and present the negative effects of 2015 Nepal’s earthquake for the tourism industry of Nepal and especially Nagarkot. This thesis was conducted to obtain the true scenario of tourism in Nepal before and after the 2015 Nepal’s earthquake as well as to present the true challenges and problems that the country is facing after the massive earthquake in 2015. In addition, the probable futures threats and challenges that might strike Nepal and its tourism industry are forecasted. This research was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies which made the research more systematic, scientific as well as easily understandable. Nagarkot was chosen as the case study of the research since it is one of the major tourist destination of Nepal. Earthquake Survey Report-2015 conducted by Nagarkot Municipality 11 was mainly used for the quantitative research and other required data for the quantitative research were collected from secondary sources such as websites, books, newspapers and ebooks. For the qualitative research, interview with the recognized personnel in the tourism industry of Nepal was carried out both personally as well as through email questionnaires. The key results of this report cover the possibility of the tourism industry in Nepal along with the present situation of tourism after the massive 2015 Nepal’s earthquake. The readers of this thesis will be able to obtain all the crucial information regarding the past as well the present situation of tourism in Nepal in one place. The negative impacts of natural disasters in tourism (especially earthquake) and the data regarding the present situation of the tourism industry in Nagarkot have been highlighted in this report. The social, economic and environmental challenges faced by the people of Nagarkot due to the earthquake have been presented. In addition, basic definition and information about the future trends and their effects on future tourism have been presented so as to make the report more informative and productive. Nepal is a country with the tremendous possibility of tourism which could attract tourist from all around the globe. The country can have a massive impact in the global tourism industry but is lagging behind due to its geographical location and unendurable infrastructures of development. Because of its geographical location, the natural calamities like earthquake, flooding, and landslide are common in Nepal which has negatively affected the economic, socio-cultural and environmental growth of the country. In addition, unendurable infrastructures of development are among the other reasons behind the vulnerability of nature which have deteriorated the overall tourism industry of Nepal. The sustainable, suitable and efficient practice of tourism in Nepal can have a substantial impact on the global tourism industry.Earthquake Survey Report-2015 conducted by Nagarkot Municipality-11 was used for the research part