Sustainable tourism can promote conservation on many ecological and cultural fronts, a benefit that also becomes evident at the trans-national level. For instance, the many trading routes and trails that are valuable for reaching agricultural fields, gathering wild products, traditional cross-border trading, and going on pilgrimages also connect the varied cultures and ecosystems of the Hindu Kush Himalaya. Through tourism, ICIMOD aims to revitalize these trading routes and trails – a process that can contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development.

ICIMOD supports national and local authorities in crafting suitable tourism-related policies and strategies; stimulates national and regional platforms to share knowledge and shape policies and adaptation mechanisms; builds the capacity of host communities to improve service quality and value chain linkages; and collaborates with the private sector to encourage more responsible tourism practices. The goal is a sustainable, winning strategy for local people and communities, the countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayas, and the visitors who appreciate the incomparable natural, cultural and spiritual heritage of this extraordinary region.