Opinion | Nepal must restore tourist confidence as floods threaten arrivals
Summary
Nepal’s tourism sector is facing fresh pressure after the August 26 floods triggered booking cancellations and disrupted access to key pilgrimage and trekking routes. While many major destinations remain open and safe, the industry is urging a stronger campaign to restore visitor confidence before the peak travel months.
Key Points
- Nepal’s August 26 floods and last year’s protests have shaken tourist confidence, leading to cancellations and worries about arrivals in peak months.
- Foreign visitor numbers fell 3.65 percent in August to 85,444, and declines in September through November could hit the industry further.
- Routes to Langtang, Gosaikunda and Kailash Mansarovar have been badly affected, but major destinations like Annapurna, Everest Base Camp, Pokhara and Chitwan remain open.
- The article calls on the government, Nepal Tourism Board and diplomatic missions to aggressively promote that Nepal is safe to travel.
