"Please Keep Visiting, It Will Be a Great Help"... Nepal Government's Urgent Appeal to Tourists After Devastating Floods

Concerns Over Economic Impact from Decrease in Himalayan Tourists
Emergency for Nepal’s Tourism Industry, a Pillar of the Economy

The Nepalese government has appealed to international travelers to visit the Himalayas in large numbers to support the reconstruction of areas damaged by floods. This is because a drop in tourist visits could deal a significant blow not only to the tourism industry but also to the Nepalese economy as a whole.

Everest Base Camp Climbing in Nepal. Photo by AP News Agency

Nepal Government: "Please Do Not Cancel Your Trip"... Making Efforts to Retain Tourists

According to Bloomberg News on September 2 (local time), Kadak Raj Paudel, Nepal's Minister of Tourism, posted a video on Facebook using the hashtag #NepalCalling, saying, "Our mountain paths and trekking routes are still waiting for you." He urged tourists to visit Nepal.

Minister Paudel emphasized, "Visiting Nepal is not just about taking a vacation," adding, "It will greatly support Nepal as we are struggling in the aftermath of this disaster."

He further appealed, "If you have already made plans to visit Nepal, please do not remove it from your itinerary," and added, "Your visit will help guides, hoteliers, and those working in the tourism sector."

Facebook account of Karjak Raj Paudel, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal

Worries About Declining Tourism... Efforts to Minimize Damage to the Tourism Industry, a Pillar of the Economy

Due to the massive floods that struck the Himalayan mountain regions of Nepal and China on August 26, it has been confirmed that at least 1,130 people have died and 4,462 are missing in Nepal alone.

Approximately 590 of the missing are foreigners from 34 countries. Among them are pilgrims who were visiting Hindu holy sites in the affected areas and tourists who were trekking in the Himalayas, putting the Nepalese tourism industry on high alert. As news of the massive floods spreads worldwide, there is increasing concern that travelers may avoid not only the affected regions but also other tourist destinations in Nepal.

Tourism is one of the key industries supporting Nepal's national economy. In particular, the large number of trekking tourists visiting the Himalayas means tourism is interconnected with various sectors such as airlines, accommodation, restaurants, and retail. While tourism directly accounts for approximately 6% of Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP), when related industries are included, it is estimated to comprise about 10% of the Nepalese economy.

Moreover, the cost of recovery from this flood disaster is expected to be substantial. According to preliminary estimates by Nepal's Ministry of Finance, the recovery cost from this disaster is projected to reach up to 5 billion dollars (about 6.8 trillion won). This amounts to around 10% of Nepal's total economic output.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.