Nepal's tourism faces devastating blow from floods and landslides

Nepal's vital tourism industry is facing a devastating blow following a massive landslide and flood event that has ravaged the country's mountainous regions. The disaster not only threatens the livelihoods of many Nepalis but also underscores the vulnerability of the nation's economy, which heavily relies on tourism and agriculture.

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The tourism industry will be affected after this disaster. The impact of this flood will last at least 6 to 7 months.

Experts predict a significant downturn for the tourism sector, with effects expected to linger for at least six to seven months. Deepak Raj Joshi, former CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, emphasized the need to project an image of safety for other regions of Nepal while acknowledging the industry's historical resilience. However, the current disaster adds to a series of challenges that have plagued Nepal's tourism over the past few years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple airline accidents in 2023 and 2024, and political protests that disrupted recovery efforts.

The World Bank and Asian Development Bank have repeatedly warned that escalating climate shocks are a major risk factor hindering Nepal's economic growth, particularly impacting the tourism and agricultural sectors. Environmental experts point out that Nepal's tourism is intrinsically linked to its mountains, and sustaining it requires exploring avenues like international climate funds. The potential for seismic activity in the Himalayas, exacerbated by climate change-induced glacial melt and rising temperatures, poses a direct threat to tourist areas like Everest, jeopardizing infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and hydropower projects.

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Our tourism industry is virtually dependent on mountains. To make Nepal's tourism sustainable, we need to explore various options, including support from international climate funds.

In response to the growing threats, former Minister of Environment Ganesh Shah stressed the need for increased investment in advanced technologies for mountain tourism protection and disaster response, including robust communication infrastructure for rapid rescue operations. The human toll of the disaster is also mounting, with the death toll reaching at least 478 people across Nepal and China's Tibet region, and an estimated 1,500 individuals still missing.

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Nepal needs to increase investment in precise technology to protect mountain tourism and strengthen disaster preparedness. We need communication infrastructure that facilitates rapid rescue in mountainous areas.