Desk Report:
Nepal’s tourism sector has been hit hard by two days of protests by the Jan-Jid movement. The September 8-9 protests resulted in an estimated loss of Rs 25 billion or Rs 2,500 crore due to hotel vandalism, travel disruptions and widespread cancellations. This information was revealed in a report by Nepal’s English daily The Himalayan Times.
Entrepreneurs and policymakers are worried about the situation just before the start of the peak tourism season, but they are also expressing hope for a turnaround. The initial report by the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) said that at least two dozen hotels have been vandalized and looted.
It also said that the Hilton Hotel in the capital Kathmandu has suffered the biggest loss alone. The loss to the company is estimated to be more than Rs 8 billion. Not only Kathmandu, but other tourist destinations including Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Biratnagar and Dhangadhi have also been affected.
Despite this major setback, tourism policymakers are optimistic about the future. Nepal Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Deepak Raj Joshi said, “The tourism sector will definitely bounce back. In the past, we bounced back after the devastating earthquake of 2015 or the Covid-19 pandemic. It is possible to bounce back this time too.” He said that a comprehensive recovery plan is already ready.
Economist Dr. Samir Khatiwada has urged the government to project a positive image of Nepal to the world. At the same time, ensuring law and order in the country and ensuring a safe travel experience for the approximately 15,000 foreign tourists currently in Nepal should be prioritized.
Hotel Association Nepal President Vinayak Shah believes that all stakeholders need to unite to revive the country’s tourism sector. He said, “The tourism season is about to begin. Now is the time to send a positive message of Nepal to the world.”
Meanwhile, other tourism sector organizations including the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal and the Mountaineering Association have also emphasized on taking united steps. According to them, a quick revival is not possible without restoring trust.
The mountains, Himalayan trekking, Buddhist and Hindu traditions – all of them attract millions of tourists to Nepal every year. This sector contributes significantly to the country’s economy. This disaster has become a major challenge for the country at the beginning of the peak season. Now the future of Nepal’s tourism sector depends on effective steps by the government, concerted efforts of entrepreneurs and positive publicity in the international arena.
