KATHMANDU: Nepal’s tourism sector is facing a significant crisis as the peak tourist season, which began in September, has been severely disrupted by recent floods. Despite initial optimism for the four-month season, natural disasters have led to widespread cancellations of hotel bookings.

According to tourism entrepreneurs, hotel bookings for September had reached 70 percent but have since plummeted to 5 percent. The destruction caused by floods in the Rasuwa and Bhotekoshi regions, along with reports of missing foreign tourists, has created a perception that trekking in Nepal is currently unsafe. Tourism entrepreneur Dorje Lama noted, ‘The tourism sector has fallen into silence again. With tourists cancelling their bookings, there is uncertainty among business owners.’

The impact is particularly acute regarding Indian tourists. Naresh Bhattarai, operator of Mount Kailash Resort, stated that the arrival of Indian guests has dropped to near zero due to the casualties and missing persons reported in the floods. Furthermore, road blockages have hindered the movement of domestic tourists, affecting occupancy rates even in popular destinations like Pokhara.

Hari Sharma, president of the Hotel Association Gandaki, described the current situation as a major crisis for the industry. He warned that while bookings for October and November remain largely intact for now, the ongoing instability could jeopardize the remainder of the peak season if the situation does not improve.

Santosh Pokharel, a member of the Nepal Tourism Board, acknowledged the sharp decline. ‘September bookings had climbed to 70 percent, but have now dropped to 5 percent,’ he said. He emphasized that the board is now actively working to convey the message that many parts of the country remain safe for travel, despite the damage in specific regions. ‘There is no alternative but to send a message that it is safe to travel to areas outside those affected by the floods,’ he added.