Prospects and Problems of Religious Tourism in Nepal, A study of Trivenighat, Panauti, Kavrepalanchowk District, Nepal

Abstract

The present study was conduct in Panauti one of the most famous ancient historical and religious place in Nepal which located in kavre district. The objectives of study are to assess the major religious places in Panauti area and prospects of religious tourism in Panauti, to identify the problems and importance of religious tourism for development in local area. For conducting the study data was obtained from the field using household survey, interview with tourists and related person of study area. 30 local people were selected out of 50. Tourists’ respondents were selected 20 and 10 Home stay were selected from the study area. Primary information has been collectedduring the filed survey, household survey, besides key interview as well as secondary data has been used. Other data was also collected from different sources such as, published and unpublished books, thesis, journals, articles and library. This study has shown majority of Newar community in the study area they are mostly engaged in traditional agricultural sector. Panauti is also one of the famous settlement of newar community like; Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Hikking is also one major attraction for tourist. All religious sits are need good renovate. Religious tourism needs more marketing. Religious tourism can be good source of income in local area. Domestic tourists are rare in visit list. Religious tourism needs marketing to promote in every area. Only seasonal tourists are not enough for tourism development. Religiously Panauti area can be very potential and respectful religious destiny for tourists but need to promote everywhere. Khopasi and other nearest place in Panauti have also many religious tourism destinations. Panauti Tourism Development center has trying to make local people active participation in tourism so board and some other organization help to established Community Homestay, Library and museum etc. in tourism area. Tourists has easily can get vehicles to reach this tourism area. An internet facility is good. Tourists can easily found the tourism places. Panauti Tourism Development Centre and other local tourism related organizations are also working for increase religious tourism in study area but the effort is not so effective. Local people help and co-ordination with Panauti Tourism Development Centre (PTDC) is important to make sustainable tourism development.