The deadliest protest in Nepal in decades erupted during the peak tourism season, disrupting businesses that were preparing to welcome trekkers to the country’s world-famous mountains.
In Thamel, a major tourist hub in the capital Kathmandu, shops and restaurants have been left without customers for several days following violent anti-corruption demonstrations. The unrest resulted in 72 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries, ultimately forcing Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign.
Tourist arrivals have dropped by 30 percent compared to the same period last year, while hotel and flight bookings have been canceled. Ram Chandra Giri, the owner of a Japanese shop who had planned trekking tours for visitors, expressed concern:
“Do you know what our situation in Nepal is like right now? This is the start of our tourism season — and it’s not good at all for the industry, is it? But we still hope Nepal will become better than before.”
Tourism — often called a “smokeless industry” — contributes about 8 percent of Nepal’s GDP. It relies heavily on mountain trekking, including expeditions to Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak.
Normally, foreign tourists begin their journeys from Kathmandu, but last week’s scenes of destruction — including the burning of the parliament building and the Hilton Hotel — prompted several countries to issue travel advisories, urging their citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Nepal.
Post a Comment