Nepal is urging international travellers to continue visiting the country despite devastating floods that have affected several parts of the country, saying most tourism destinations remain safe, accessible and open.
The Rasuwa flood has caused more than Rs 50 billion in preliminary damage to Nepal’s tourism sector, including damage to 142 hotels, 57 restaurants and 141 tourism-related vehicles, Tourism Minister Khadak Raj Paudel said on Wednesday.
Nepal’s major trekking destinations remain safe following the devastating August 26 floods, but damaged access routes and transport links are emerging as the main challenge ahead of the autumn trekking season, according to the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN).
A pre-dawn flood swept away two bridges in Gorkha, while a landslide has disrupted the Tsum Valley trail, prompting authorities and TAAN to urge trekkers to delay their journeys
Upper Mustang remains open to tourists following a 5.3-magnitude earthquake that struck Lo Manthang on Tuesday night, with roads, trekking trails, hotels and communication services reported to be operating normally.
Trekkers heading towards Samagaon and Larkya Pass can resume their journeys in the Manaslu region after local residents built an alternative trail and wooden bridge at Therang Khola in Namrung, Gorkha.
Nepal’s tourism industry is facing cancellations in destinations untouched by the August 26 flash floods, prompting the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) to urge travel businesses and media to distinguish between affected areas and the rest of the country.
Nepal's major trekking destinations remain largely safe for visitors despite disruptions to several access routes following the August 26 flash floods, according to the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN).
Although only a section of the Bhote Koshi–Trishuli corridors in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts was affected by the devastating August 26 floods, tourism stakeholders have begun bearing the brunt of the aftermath, with visitors cancelling trips to Nepal for the peak tourism season.
A landslide near Khotro Khola along the Besisahar-Manang road has temporarily blocked traffic, the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) said.