Tourism and Remote Mountain Settlements: Spatial and Temporal Development of Tourist Infrastructure in the Mt Everest Region, Nepal

Abstract

More than three decades of tourism in the remote mountain communities of the Everest region in the Nepalese Himalaya have transformed the shape, size and functions of traditional human settlements. Tourism-induced demands for accommodation have not only resulted in significant housing constructions, but traditional family dwellings have been converted into modern tourist accommodations as well. The growth of settlements and housing styles follow a pattern dictated by the mobility of tourists and their needs rather than the traditional functions of a rural settlement. Five major types of settlement, defined by their development stages, size and function, can be identified. These settlements have gone through several transitions, for example, from a herding village to seasonal tourist centres and into permanent settlements. This paper discusses the spatial and temporal effects of tourism on settlement development patterns and processes in the Everest region of Nepal. It contributes to the understanding of settlement development stages, progression through various transitions, factors that contribute to such transitions and corresponding changes in functional characteristics of individual settlements. It concludes that in-depth examination of rural settlements' development processes is crucial in understanding their dynamic nature, and in developing strategies for their planned development.

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