Title: Queer tourism development in Nepal : Building inclusive tourism through rights-based approach
Author: Mr.Kaushal Joshi
Year: 2024
Keywords: Queer Tourism, Rights-Based Approach, LGBTQIA+ rights, Nepal
Theme: Post Development
Advisor(s): Kasira Cheeppensook
The full thesis available here.
Abstract: Nepal has become a notable leader in South Asia regarding LGBTQIA+ rights, with legal reforms ranging from “third or other” gender citizenship rights to recognition of sexual and gender minority rights enshrined in the constitution, to the 2023 Supreme Court directive urging the legislature to recognize same-sex marriage. However, these advancements have not meaningfully reflected in the country’s tourism development strategies. This research addresses the disconnect between progressive legal recognition and the lack of inclusive LGBTQIA+ practices in Nepal’s tourism sector, proposing queer tourism as a an avenue for inclusion, empowerment, and sustainable development. Drawing from LGBT tourism theory and a rights-based approach framework, the study examines the nexus of identity, rights, and development within Nepal’s tourism development sector.Preliminary findings from desk research, news articles, policy papers, and on the ground interviews suggest that while legal reforms exist, their impact on Nepal’s tourism policies remains limited and fragmented. Furthermore, legal provisions in the LGBTQIA+ reforms in Nepal do not always promise the application of those provisions in the society in real-time. However, cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara present real opportunities to develop queer-friendly tourism infrastructure if supported by inclusive marketing, policy innovation, and community-based engagement with more intentional financial assistance and support for grassroot initiatives. The research advocates for positioning queer tourism not only as an economic opportunity but also as a pathway for cultural visibility, human rights leadership, and inclusive national development