The conflict between India and China has had a significant impact on tourism in Nepal, particularly in the town of Lumbini. Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, has seen a decline in tourist numbers, which has been attributed in part to the ongoing feud between Nepal’s neighbouring countries.
In an attempt to boost tourism, the Nepali government invested $76 million to build the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini. The airport, also known as Bhairahawa Airport, was expected to attract international flights and increase tourist arrivals. However, the anticipated travel boom never materialized, leading to financial difficulties for many businesses in the region.
Travel industry experts point to a lack of early promotion and incentives for international airlines as one of the main reasons for the failure to attract more visitors. They argue that regular international flights operating out of Bhairahawa airport would significantly increase tourist arrivals, especially from overseas.
Unfortunately, Delhi has refused to allow big passenger planes to fly west through its airspace, preventing planes from flying over India to reach the Gautam Buddha airport. Access to Indian airspace would not only shorten flight routes but also reduce costs for airlines. However, this has been denied to Nepal, possibly due to political tensions and China’s involvement in the construction of the airport.
The location of the Gautam Buddha airport near the Nepal-India border has added to the strained relations between the two countries. The region has seen clashes between Indian and Chinese troops, further complicating the situation. Both India and China have been engaged in a long-standing dispute over the ill-defined and poorly-demarcated border known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The lack of international flights at Bhairahawa airport has mirrored the situation at other airports in Nepal, such as Pokhara International Airport. Despite significant investments, these airports have struggled to attract international airlines and sustain operations. The congested Kathmandu Airport, Nepal’s only international gateway for years, has also faced challenges due to earthquakes and heavy traffic.
To address this issue, Nepal needs proactive diplomacy to convince countries like India to open their airspace to commercial flights destined for Nepal. Additionally, Nepal can explore opportunities to attract tourists from the east, such as Thailand, Japan, and Cambodia, to compensate for the restrictions imposed by Delhi.
While there are ongoing discussions between Nepal and India to resolve the airspace issue, the tourism industry in Nepal remains hopeful for a positive outcome. Nepal’s Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Gopal Kranti, has expressed optimism, stating that they are in constant dialogue with Indian officials and diplomats.
In conclusion, the tensions between India and China have had a significant impact on tourism in Nepal, particularly in Lumbini. The failure to attract international flights to Bhairahawa airport has affected businesses and tourism revenues. Nepal needs to focus on proactive diplomacy and diversify its tourist market to ensure sustainable growth in the future.
