The Himalaya is characterized with immense natural beauty and is inhabited by over 150 million people with a rich cultural diversity. It is also one of the poorest regions of the world. With a rapid population growth and lack of opportunities to economically advance, the livelihoods of the mountain people are quickly deteriorating along with the natural environment. Mountain tourism could be an important vehicle for development of the region, turning the tides of deterioration by alleviating poverty of the mountain people while at the same time helping to conserve the unique natural and cultural resources of the region. Mountain regions share roughly 15-20% of the global tourism market, generating between 70 and 90 billion US dollar per year. However, research has shown that these tourism dollars do not necessarily reach the poor. This study describes the main impacts of mountain tourism in Nepal. However - in contrast to conventional impact studies- it moves beyond simple description of these impacts and instead builds on this information to suggest new strategies to help poor mountain communities to benefit more from tourism development in their area. It argues that only with the deliberate adoption of sustainable and pro-poor tourism strategies and policies, combined with an integrated conservation and development approach, tourism can function as a true vehicle for poverty reduction of poor mountain communities and development of the region.
