Nepal, May 30 -- Sustainability has become a ubiquitous word for almost every plan. When it comes to designing tourism policy in Nepal, careful thought and planning in conjunction with public, private, civil society, indigenous and marginalised stakeholders are required to ensure that what is developed benefits all, is truly sustainable and is not greenwashed.

Tourism makes up six to eight percent of Nepal's annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Upon closer examination, estimates from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) suggest that over 65 percent of tourism-related income comes from domestic tourism, with people travelling for corporate retreats, on pilgrimage, holiday trekking and weekend getaways to places like Pokhara and Chi...