Tourism and Nationalism in Nepal

This book explores the role of tourism in the expression of nationalism in Nepal. It investigates assemblage of images, emblems, and symbols of Nepali nationhood in various touristic representations and narratives from Nepali travellers and diasporic visitors to showcase how they express nationhood and stimulate a strong sentiment of national feeling and belonging. The book suggests that touristic settings in Nepal provide a venue for articulation of nation, first through internal ascription, that is, the construction of identity by citizens with the nation; and second, through the promotion of distinctive touristic identity through the assertion of national uniqueness and distinguishing the nation within the larger international community. Given the recent great political changes, post-conflict nation rebuilding, and development, Nepal offers a fascinating case study on the role of tourism and nationalism. This book will be of great interest to students, scholars, and professionals working in tourism and heritage studies, sociology, anthropology, geography, political science, and area studies, as well as those interested in the study of developing societies.

Kalyan Bhandari is a Lecturer in Events, Hospitality, and Tourism at the University of the West of Scotland, UK.

1.Introduction 2. Nation, nationalism, and tourism in Nepal 3. 'National' imagery in tourism representations 4. Expressing nationalism at Lumbini 5. Earthquake and diasporic travel to homeland 6. Conclusions