Nepal’s tourism industry in jeopardy, 80 per cent tourists cancel trip to quake-hit country: report

Kathmandu: Eighty per cent tourists, including many Indians, have cancelled their plans to visit Nepal in the wake of the deadly quake that has caused widespread devastation, robbing the country of some of its iconic historical jewels and scenic resorts.

The temblor that hit the Himalayan nation on April 25 has also hit the tourism industry, the country's main forex earner, hard, with hoteliers reporting that 80 per cent of "spring breakers" have cancelled their reservations, myrepublica.com reported on Tuesday.

The future of Nepal's high-end tourism is also in jeopardy after an avalanche in the Mount Everest region put the climbing season in uncertainty.

Watch: Mount Everest, the world's highest graveyard where dead bodies are now milestones

Ashok Pokhrel, president of the Nepal Association of Tour Operators, said that cancellation of advance booking would cross 90 per cent soon.

"The spring season has been ruined but we are now looking forward to autumn season," Pokhrel said.

"We are losing many tourists, particularly from India, as several monuments that attracted them have been affected in the earthquake. Indians account for about 20 per cent of international visitors to Nepal, who usually tour our country during summer," said Suman Pandey, Chairman of the Nepal Chapter of Pacific Asia Travel Association.

The post-quake slump could to last for six months, hoteliers said, adding that an estimated 45,000 tourists have left the country since the powerful quake jolted the country, leaving the tourism industry in the lurch.

They said new bookings have stopped while cancellation of advance bookings is on the rise.

Read: US military planes to begin Nepal quake relief sorties

Most of the five-star properties have not accepted new bookings and the government team is assessing most of the hotels buildings to certify whether they are fit to live in.

"After the certification, hotels will be resuming their normal business," said Prabesh Aryal, executive director of the Hotel Association of Nepal, the apex body of hotel industry.

Bharat Joshi, resident manager of Hotel Yak & Yeti, said that they were fully occupied as of yesterday by the guests, mostly foreign rescue teams, media personnel, members of international agencies and some tourists.

"But we are not sure on our occupancy after mid-May," Joshi said, adding that in the last few days, 40 per cent of their advance bookings have been cancelled.

Hoteliers said that even if the occupancies hover to around 30-40 per cent in May-August period, it would be a big relief for them.

Read: Scientists fear bigger quake in future

The tourism sector is a key contributor to Nepal's economic growth, providing 7 per cent of Nepal's jobs and accounts for 8 per cent of the economy, according to the Asian Development Bank.