Frontier tourism development and inequality in the Nepal Himalaya

Abstract

This article proposes ‘frontier tourism development’ as an apt analytical lens through which to understand contemporary tourism development in rural peripheries. Based on a rich case study of more than 90% of households across seven villages in the Manaslu Conservation Area, the article analyses local-level inequalities in participation and benefits from tourism development in one of the world’s most remote peripheries—the high Himalayas of Nepal. The analysis documents that distance to the trekking trail running through the area significantly determines engagement in the tourism sector and that, among participating households, the wealthier obtain significantly more tourism income. These local-level findings show how development initiatives intended to engender a more equal distribution of tourism income at a regional scale may end up increasing income inequalities at a local scale. Interpreting these findings though the notion of frontier tourism development as a particular kind of commodity frontier, the article highlights challenges to market-oriented inclusive tourism development in the face of composite rural economies and rapidly changing livelihood conditions. It documents bubble-like barriers to trickle-down and backward linkages at the frontiers of tourism development; illustrates the need for broader analytical alternatives to dominant value chain approaches; and encourages a more robust integration between studies of rural tourism and the wider political economy perspectives of critical agrarian studies.

Keywords:

• Tourism
• frontier
• development
• inequality
• livelihoods
• Nepal
• Himalaya

Acknowledgements

This research that forms the base of this article would not have been possible without the friendly cooperation of the people of Kutang and Nubri. We are grateful to everyone who participated along the way, especially: Jhangchuk Sangmo, Tsewang Sangmo, Tharpa Lama, Tsering Yangzom, Pasang Lhamo, Pema Norbu, Nyima Sangmo, Pema Gyalpo, Lhakpa Dekyi, Lhakpa Tsering, Tashi Lama, Tsultrim Phuntsok, Yeshe Dorje, Nyima Bhutti and Dorje Thakuri. The article benefitted from input from Mariève Pouliot, Mattias Borg Rasmussen, and Christian Lund as well as thorough comments from three anonoumous reviewers.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the European Research Council (ERC) under the grant: State Formation through the Local Production of Property and Citizenship [grant number Ares (2015)2785650 – ERC-2014-AdG − 662770-Local State] as well as by the Independent Research Fund Denmark [grant number DFF − 6109-00275].

Notes on contributors

Rune Bolding Bennike

Rune Bolding Bennike is an assistant professor at the University of Southern Denmark. His work deals with political economy and rural transformation in the Himalaya with a focus on land, tourism, post-disaster, capitalist frontiers and moral economies.

Martin Reinhardt Nielsen

Martin Reinhardt Nielsen is an Associate Professor at University of Copenhagen. His research focuses on the human dimensions of wildlife management and conservation and particularly the socioeconomic importance of bushmeat in rural livelihoods.