Tourism impacts on the mobility of local population in Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park and Buffer Zone, Nepal

Abstract

Tourism development changes local society and influences on population mobility worldwide, which is observed in Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone as well. Questionnaire and interview surveys were conducted in the main villages of the park area to better understand tourism impacts on the mobility of local population. The results suggest that the current migrants in the area are largely affected by tourism in terms of their occupation. Different ethnic groups tend to obtain different occupations. Because more lowlanders immigrate to the park area, their occupations, which are mostly tourism-related jobs as the main income source, have been diversified.