Flood fallout puts Nepal's tourism recovery at risk
Summary
Recent Bhotekhoshi floods have caused an estimated Rs 52 billion in losses to Nepal’s tourism sector, damaging hotels, transport links and related businesses across several districts. The disaster has triggered widespread cancellations during the peak autumn season, prompting calls for relief measures and loan restructuring.
Key Points
- Preliminary estimates place the flood-related losses to Nepal’s tourism industry at nearly Rs 52 billion.
- Around 142 hotels were damaged or destroyed, with Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha among the worst-hit districts.
- Tourist bookings and hotel occupancy fell sharply after the floods, with cancellations reaching about 70 per cent.
- The hotel sector is seeking government and central bank relief, including loan waivers, tax relief and payment deferrals.
