Nepal's tourism sector incurs over Rs 52bn in losses following Bhotekoshi floods

KATHMANDU: The country's tourism sector has sustained losses totalling Rs 52.67 billion following floods in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa on August 26.

The extent of the financial damage was submitted on Monday in a report to Tourism Minister Khadak Raj Paudel by a Rapid Response Team (RRT). The RRT was formed by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation under the coordination of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) member Sahadev Dhamala.

According to the report, the floods and landslides caused extensive damage to tourism infrastructure, hotels and tourism businesses, transport access, trekking routes, and tourist management systems, particularly in the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha.

RRT Coordinator Dhamala stated that, sector-wise, the estimated losses are highest in the hotel sector at Rs 19.56 billion, followed by foreign tourism revenue at Rs 14.60 billion and tourist management at Rs 12.26 billion.

A total of 1,117 Nepali and foreign tourists have been affected by the floods and landslides. So far, 310 people have been safely rescued, and 13 others have made contact. However, 794 individuals, comprising 606 foreigners and 188 Nepalis, remain out of contact.

The report emphasises that post-disaster tourism recovery should not be limited merely to reconstructing damaged infrastructure; instead, a safe and sustainable tourism system must be developed by taking into account potential future climate-related risks.

Receiving the report, Minister Paudel pledged to restore safety, communication, and transport access to key destinations before the upcoming tourist season by effectively implementing a joint action plan developed in collaboration with the NTB and the private sector.

By RSS