Nepal is often associated with many things; the majestic mountains, the picturesque trekking routes, its rich culture and the wonderful people. However, Nepal is planning to become more than just those lately. It is slowly but steadily trying to become a bustling destination for foodies. Over the last couple of years, food is becoming an integral part of the tourism. As the number of visitors entering the country increase by the day, the people expect to see a significant number experience the Nepali food culture and all that the land has to offer. It is of utmost importance that we continuously review our product and push it to be the best version of itself. Efforts to develop a niche markets for guests who are looking for more than just the Himalayas in the country is actively being worked all concerned including the government and the private sectors. An influx of tourists meant that the country needed to step it up to meet the wishes of these tourists and deliver accordingly.

�Promoting gastronomic tourism in Nepal is highly unrealistic at the moment. Nepal is not a tourist destination because of the food but for various other reasons as nature, culture and adventure. Yes, we do have an abundance of cuisines but we have no influence on the international market in terms of gastronomy. Our chefs aren�t famous internationally and neither is our food. Once we have proper representation in the international environment, only then can we expect tourists to visit the country for gastronomic reasons.�

[caption id="attachment_3371" align="alignleft" width="201"] Mr. Ujjwal Satyal
Food & Beverage Expert and
Former Principal, NATHM[/caption]

�We must show case Nepalese menus in the international market. This can be done by Nepalese living abroad and especially by those engaged in restaurant business. At present Nepali cuisine is being presented in fusion with Indian food in the international market and the authenticity of Nepalese food is still a curiosity to many. We must join hands with government to promote our cuisine through Nepalese embassies and consulates in various countries. Nepalese organizations abroad should also present Nepalese menus during festivals and events to the foreign community. No one is going to visit Nepal for the sake of trying the food if people don�t know what the food is like.�

�Nepal barely managed to welcome 1 million tourists and we have targeted 2 million for Visit Nepal Year 2020, which is next to impossible. Targets must be realistic and achievable. As of now, no matter how much money is spent on promoting Nepal for gastronomic tourism, it will not draw tourist for the purpose nor can it yield any outcome as desired.�

  For a country largely associated with mountains and culture, Nepal has come a long way to being more than just the two. It has the potential to adopt a new identity for itself that is sure to be recognized by the international community. It is the government and the people�s responsibility to realize this potential to invest and further develop the gastronomic scene. While the government has played some role in the growth of the food scene, the people are the ones who are actively seeking to ensure the growth. Many are seeing it as a business opportunity and the rest are simply promoting it for the greater good of the country. This idea of gastronomic tourism has been presented many times over the two decades but it has often been scrapped as implementing it felt quite impossible. However, since times are changing the dream is looking more likely to be realized.

�Gastronomy tourism in Nepal is a concept that has been around for many years. While Nepal can be promoted as a gastronomic destination, it will take a significant amount of effort to achieve it. This will require a large collective effort from the government, tourism sector, local chefs, bloggers, restaurateurs, media houses and anyone who has knowledge about the Nepali cuisine. A join decision and understanding will help set a clear path for the future. This cannot be done overnight or in a couple of days, this will take months of research and experimentation before we can finally market it.�

[caption id="attachment_3372" align="alignright" width="200"] Yuba Raj Pokhrel
Executive Chef
Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Kathmandu[/caption]

�These days the Nepali cuisine is very modernized, to present it with authenticity we need to go back in time and find out what the older generations ate. Back then, they did not have modern dishes and what they ate could be considered authentic Nepali cuisine. Even the utensils we cook matters. Authentic dishes were mostly only made in firewood and using a different method can change the taste too. We also need to travel and spend time in the remotest areas of Nepal to experience and learn about the cuisines from these areas.�

�We need to ensure that all the ingredients used in making dishes are as close to the original as possible. The cuisine needs to be brought out domestically first, only then can we think of promoting it elsewhere. If Nepali�s are not aware of the cuisine, how could we possibly expect a tourist to be aware of it? Right now, any Nepali dish available serves commercial purposes only. Commercial gains are secondary, our primary focus should be to popularize and spread knowledge about the cuisine. Food is a never-ending topic, understanding its core values are the only way we can move forward.�

�Chefs these days only promote Nepali cuisine for their individual gains rather than for the country. It may be a distant dream, but a dream that is a possibility if everything is done right.�

  Nepali food is easily accepted as very balanced, but there is a lot more to it than just a balanced meal. Packed with generations of stories and sentiment with a unique blend of many diverse cultures, the food here, much like the country itself, has cultivated a unique experience for tourists that has them wanting to return and experience those emotions repeatedly. A social standard in today�s society, food in many ways defines a person�s lifestyle. This is the case in Nepal and elsewhere around the world. Nepal is moving to the future of attracting millions of tourists; tourists act as key pillar in the economic growth of the country. There has been investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars into hotels, restaurants and organizations spread throughout the country; there are people actively engaged in the food business but the majority make little to no effort in popularizing the Nepali cuisine.

�While Nepal is known for adventure tourism, its time local gastronomy receive its due. Local Nepali cuisine may not be as famous as Italian, Mexican, French or Japanese, but we do have a lot to offer.

Beside the quintessential momos, tourists can try delicious Newari & Thakali Cuisines. For tourists who are hooked to other cuisines can try continental & Asian too. With increased communication, travel, skilled hospitality professional�s presentation of dishes with the warmth of local hospitality amid contemporary or modern setup can do great wonders.

[caption id="attachment_3361" align="alignleft" width="267"] Tripurari Singh,
Food & Beverage Director
Hotel Annapurna[/caption]

We have not been able to realize the true potential of gastronomy here. Some initiatives to recognize it have been made like the �National initiative for globalization of Nepali cuisines� by Hotel Association of Nepal, Chefs Association of Nepal collaborating with the Nepal Tourism board. More such campaigns, cross exposure, initiatives, workshops, competitions, training and food festivals with support from Nepal Tourism boards can go a long way in promoting our cuisines.

The government should be involved as it can attract more tourist to the country. Guests who desire native cuisines with all its variants, naturally grown ingredients are a huge demand among millennial today. The government needs to invest more on infrastructures related with all the aspects of tourism & to give great impetus to Visit Nepal 2020 initiatives.�

  Unique in its multi-ethnic and multi-cultural ingenuity, Nepal offers an unlimited choice of cuisines based on region, religion, ethnicity, culture, festivals, environment and diverse climatic conditions. We have the preconceived notion about Nepali cuisine only consisting of Newari food or the ever so popular Dal Bhaat. This is still true to some extent as Newari food and Dal Bhaat are quite popular but Nepali cuisine represents so much more than just the two. Nepal on its own boasts a huge range of cuisines without taking into account the growing numbers of international cuisines that are slowly making their way into Nepali palate. But it is perhaps the increasing number of international cuisines that are hindering the growth of Nepali cuisine. This is not discrediting the wonderful international cuisines the country and its people have adopted but efforts to prioritize and grow Nepali cuisine is just as important. A few hotels have played their part in promoting Nepalese cuisine. Leading hotels actively organize food festivals highlighting the many different varieties cuisines the country has to offer. Moreover, this is not limited to just Nepali cuisine alone. The influence of western culture here cannot be understated.

Nepal is a unique destination compared to the rest of the world. Travelers can find everything that they could want for and more in the country. Courageous entrepreneurs and innovators domestically and internationally come to the Nepali market with different tastes and product most of which are largely accepted

[caption id="attachment_3370" align="alignright" width="243"] Santosh Subedi KC
Executive Sous Chef
Hotel Yak and Yeti[/caption]

by the public. The concept of gastronomic tourism is very much possible mainly because Nepali food is appreciated by everyone who eats it but it has yet to be promoted in global arena.

The government is a key factor for the promotion of our culture and its values. It can be implemented the Nepali chefs too. People with knowledge of Nepali cuisine should be promoting as well. Our goal should be to promote our food in a global market. These can be done through various campaigns such as organizing Nepali food festivals that highlight the diverse range of Nepali cuisine.

  It is true that there is wider scope for economic growth with serving cuisines from foreign land at present. However, Nepali cuisines are not very far behind in terms of economic opportunities. We need to realize that tourists do not flock to the country to experience food they already have back home. We need to provide them with food that highlights the rich culture Nepal has to offer. Nepali cuisines may not be making waves in the country but western cuisine is quite popular here. Many people have developed a taste for western food and it is largely due to almost all the restaurants here providing it. Much of this craze for western food also comes due to social media as its influence has a very wide reach. Promoting Nepal as a destination for gastronomic tourism benefits the country�s overall economy, as tourists will visit the country for attractions other than its usual as well. Business opportunities will present itself in small and large scales not just for the government but also individuals and hotels and other establishments. There is potential for immense growth in all sectors of the country involved with tourism and the hotel industry. Utilizing social media is another platform the government needs to exploit. Everything moves around social media in this digital age and its reach attracts millions of users. A simple social media campaign can prove to be more successful than physical campaigns in the country.

�Nepali Cuisine is rich in all aspects in comparison to some of the other cuisines available in Kathmandu. If promoted, Nepali cuisine with its unique taste, peculiar cooking style and natural spices can become quite popular around the world.�

�To promote Nepal as a gastronomic hub for Nepali Cuisine, the first step should be to make locals aware of the benefits of Nepali Cuisine and its role in promoting Nepal as a destination for the same. More people should be trained in Nepali

[caption id="attachment_3358" align="alignleft" width="259"] Chef Bijaya Shrestha Executive Chef Gateway College of Professional Studies. He wrote a Thesis on Prospect of Gastronomy Tourism in Kathmandu Valley)[/caption]

Cuisine so that there would be no lack of human resources for the creation of the dishes. Universities and the Institutes teaching Hotel Management and Culinary should include both theoretical and practical aspects of the diverse Nepali cuisine and should train the students accordingly. This would help create educated human resources in this field who will later on act as the ambassadors of Nepali cuisine in Nepal and around the world, which would ultimately make the country as a gastronomic hub for Nepali cuisine.�

�Government and Tourism Advocating Organizations like NTB, REBAN, HAN, NATTA, PATA, SOTTO and their regional chapters should promote Nepal not just as for its temples and mountains but also as a gastronomic hub of Nepali cuisine.�

  Successfully promoting this movement will require the government and the local people need to work hand in hand to maintain authenticity and ensuring sustainable growth right from the grass roots. While much can be talked about the government and their lack of efforts into capitalizing on opportunities, as citizens of the country, its people are equally responsible for implementing this goal. It is true that the people and the government here do not really see eye to eye very often but when it benefits the country, differences should be cast aside at times like this. People have been working hard, whether for their own benefits or the country�s to promote the gastronomic scene in Nepal. However, these moves have largely been domestic and promotions are largely based on promoting it to Nepali people. This is acceptable as implementations of large-scale plans like this need to be accepted and acknowledged by the locals first but spreading awareness about the diverse Nepali cuisine should reach a global scale as soon as possible. Local restaurateurs also need to provide more in terms of varieties than the traditional Thakali cuisine. Realizing this dream will never be possible unless the local people truly accept how lucky the country is to have such a wide variety of cuisines at their disposal. Nepal has all the tools in place to successfully promote itself but much remains to be seen as to whether the government and the people put in effort for the goal and with visit Nepal year 2020 coming in soon, we need to work overtime to make this dream a reality. Food as a Motivating Factor for Travel Each country has its own unique feature that attracts tourists and Nepal has been blessed with an abundance of it. In this age, people don�t just travel to experience natural beauty anymore. Food is becoming an increasingly motivating factor for travel. For the purpose of explaining motivations behind traveling for food; physical and interpersonal motivators are essential. Physical motivators are related to tourists� real experiences during the trip. For example, tourists experience the cuisine through sampling of the food, looking at attractive food presentation and the aroma of the food. This phenomenon would provide a new experience to the tourist that cannot be experienced in a typical day-to-day basis. Similarly, tourists might find motivation because of health reasons, such as visiting countries that offer healthy diet; for example the food of Greece and Italy or �the Mediterranean Diet.� This cuisine emphasizes healthy eating that might attract those who want are consciously looking to better their health. Food and tourism are interpersonal motivators too. As such, eating a meal during a vacation might be an important factor for a tourist. For example, this would be the best time for them to socialize with other members of the family if they are on a family vacation. It can help to increase one�s relations with someone who had been away from the family. The surrounding atmosphere and socializing with group members are an important part of the overall dining experience.

�The possibilities are there, but still Nepal needs time to move towards gastronomic tourism. As you know today, travelers are more experienced, have more disposable income and more leisure time to travel, and thus tourism allows them to escape the daily routine of their usual environment and immerse themselves in a world of freedom and novelty. Thus, more and more tourists in the world are looking for concrete learning experiences and in this endeavor the

[caption id="attachment_3360" align="alignright" width="234"] Pranjal Gogoi
Head Chef
Fairfield by Mariott[/caption]

gastronomic experience. Setting standards for local foods, developing specialty restaurants and communicating the national or regional brand through gastronomy are a few ways the idea can be implemented.�

�The government needs to take more initiative to promoting local food and culture; they have to be focused on food hygiene, regular quality checks of local venders and restaurants needs to happen to ensure that this plan of recognizing Nepal as a potential destination for gastronomic tourism.�

  Since Nepal�s biggest source of income is the tourism industry, it does come as a surprise that we have not been able to market one of the biggest tools available to us. Food and tourism go hand in hand too. Many countries around the world have marketed themselves through the food they have to offer. Nepal with its rich and diverse culture has the ability to connect the best of both worlds. In terms of cultural motivators, there is a strong bond between food and culture. Tourists would want to experience new and learn about new cultures and lifestyles of the people at the destination. The easiest way to experience another culture is through its food. Some tourists travel to a destination just to savor the traditional or authentic cuisine that is unique to a particular country. Tourists are also actively looking for special food ingredients. All these could be important factors to guarantee satisfaction.

�The potential of gastronomic tourism in Nepal is huge. Around 1 million tourists visit Nepal each year. The wide diversity of language, religion and people have made it possible in Nepal to have different and several cultures and traditions. Gastronomic understanding is increasingly becoming a focus for travelling. The millennial believe that dining is not the �final destination� rather, it is learning about the process behind it. It is essential for hotels and tour agencies in Nepal to develop their gastronomic tourism products in order to meet their customers� demands and present memorable experiences. Gastronomic tourism if promoted well should consist of activities that will offer experiences of eating and admiration and enjoyment of traditional food and beverages, presented in such a way that should highlight the history, the culture and the environment of Nepal.�

[caption id="attachment_3359" align="alignleft" width="206"] Milind Kumbhare Executive Chef Vivanta, Kathmandu[/caption]

�The move is not just beneficial for the country�s cuisines but also for the overall economy of the country. Increase in tourist arrivals, added sales for tickets, hotels and restaurants alike, more media coverage, a new and unique selling proposition for the country besides just the mountains, extra tax revenues for the government and improved community awareness about tourism in general.�

�One should not forget the social media too; food bloggers are increasingly on the rise. Their reviews and recommendations helps in drawing attention and contributes to the improvement in tourism. As food is an integral part of cultural experience, the Nepali government should also aim to promote the country�s attractions through social media. Thus helping the tourists to plan thoroughly places to visit and what food or drink to indulge in.�

�Traditional strategies in the development of food tourism must be altered to planned policies to articulate the quality, variety and uniqueness of local products and gastronomy of a region. Government should grab the prospect to build the image and brand of destinations in Nepal through gastronomy. This can be done by bringing chefs on board as interpreters of the territory, the development of high-quality and credible promotional tools; such as food guides, organization of food oriented events, the media and use of the internet and social networks. Vibrant culture, incredible landscapes, friendly people, variety of flavors and unique cuisine, Nepal definitely has the recipe for to be an excellent gastronomic destination.�

The country needs to aim and provide people with an experience unlike any other. A fresh and unique experience that would have tourists wanting to come back again. It is no secret that plans like these are difficult and will take time to incorporate. The government and the people work hand in hand and hopefully we can provide tourists with a glimpse of what the country has to offer besides mountains by 2020.� As Nepal ventures into making itself as a gastronomic haven for locals and tourists alike, it is important to keep in mind where our roots lie. The wealth of the Nepali gastronomy needs further exploration, promotion and most importantly recognition. With much effort, Nepal could be �the destination� for Gastronomic Tourism.