The world over, harrowing images and videos of the floods in Nepal are flashing on screens of all sizes. The death toll has crossed thousands, and the damage is estimated to be in the billions. Under such circumstances, the Tourism Minister of Nepal, Khadak Raj Paudel, has made a plea to travelers not to cancel their trips to the country. While this request may strike many as odd, it is not entirely unreasonable. Here’s why tourism in Nepal matters now more than ever and whether you should heed the minister’s plea.
Nepal’s Tourism Minister Urges Travelers To Visit
In a video message shared on the social networking website Facebook, Paudel urged foreign travelers to not cancel their trips to the country. “Our mountain trails and trekking routes are still waiting for you,” he said in the video, while also using the hashtag #NepalCalling. He went on to call these tourism visits “a big support” to the country’s struggling economy.
This appeal might confuse people online as they are bombarded with chilling images of entire houses being swept away amid the flash floods in the country. The following question is bound to arise:
Is Nepal Safe Enough To Visit?
While most of the horrific images and videos of the catastrophe in Nepal are true, it is also true that the floods have not uniformly affected the country. While the floods did wreak havoc on central-northern regions of the country, especially along the Trishuli River, other parts remain unaffected. So, the answer to this question depends on what part of Nepal you are talking about.
Which Nepal Regions Are Safe To Visit?
Major tourist hubs in Nepal like Pokhara, Kathmandu, Chitwan, and the Everest regions are completely unaffected by the floods and are fully operational. Here’s a list of the regions in Nepal safe to visit:
- Kathmandu, Kathmandu Valley, and Heritage Sites: Safe, open; fully operational international and domestic airport
- Everest Region: Safe, open, untouched by the flood, fully operational
- Annapurna Circuit: Safe, open, untouched by the flood, fully operational
- Pokhara: Safe, operating domestic flights; requires monitoring if traveling by highways.
Also Read: Nepal Flash Floods: Which Parts Of India Are At Risk And How Can You Help People Affected?
Things To Keep In Mind If You’re Traveling To Nepal
Tourism is the lifeblood of Nepal’s economy. Canceling a trip to unaffected places would leave the country worse-off, in many ways.
Go To Nepal ONLY IF
You were planning a trip to unaffected places like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, or the Everest region. Canceling such trips deprives local guides, porters, and lodge owners of income when the country needs economic stability most. If your destination is unaffected, keeping your trip supports local communities.
Don’t Go To Nepal IF
Your itinerary has Langtang National Park, crossing into Tibet via Kyirong/Rasuwagadhi, or trekking anywhere near the Trishuli/Bhote Koshi riverbanks. If this is the case and you are still keen on visiting, you must cancel or reroute those specific segments. Advisories from international embassies (US, UK, EU) explicitly warn against travel to Northern Rasuwa.
Also Read: How to Prepare for the Everest Base Camp Trek
Summing Up
Navigating tourism in Nepal right now is certainly tricky. However, if you are smart about the places you are planning to visit, you will not only have a safe and memorable trip, but also help the economy of a country direly in need of immediate help.
