As Nepal recovers from severe floods in the north, approximately one million people reliant on tourism are facing economic challenges. In Kathmandu, Pushpraj Rimal, a tour planner and taxi driver, anticipated a busy September but instead experienced numerous cancellations following the floods that resulted in over 1,450 fatalities and damaged critical highways. Rimal stated, "It is still a lockdown kind of situation," reflecting the impact on his business.
Nepal's tourist season typically peaks after the monsoon ends in August, attracting thousands of international travelers and contributing nearly 8 percent to the country's gross domestic product. Last year, over 1.15 million tourists visited Nepal, with a significant portion arriving during the September-November season. However, this year's floods, caused by a glacial collapse along the Nepal-Tibet border, have deterred tourists even from unaffected areas.
Rimal noted that he has conducted only a quarter of his usual business this season, stating, "I will get no commissions from the hotels or trek organizers." He expressed concern for his children, stating he may not be able to fulfill a promise made for the upcoming Dussain festival.
Seeta Nepali, 61, and her husband Ramakant, 68, sell homemade buttermilk along the highway to Pokhara and Chitwan. Despite their town being unaffected by the floods, they reported a significant drop in sales due to blocked roads, stating, "We could earn nothing for 11 days after the flood because the road was blocked."
British traveler Alexa canceled her planned trip to Pokhara and Dhulikhel due to the floods, while a Japanese traveler expressed concerns about safety, stating, "the situation and environment due to the floods... could be deadly for me and my family."
Some travelers, like Tapas Kumar from India, adjusted their itineraries instead of canceling. Kumar mentioned that their son in the United States advised them to avoid Nepal for now, leading them to extend their stay in Kathmandu instead.
Travel advisories from various embassies have influenced tourist decisions. Surendra Thapa from the Indian embassy noted that some travelers misunderstood safety information, while the UK and US embassies issued warnings about unstable areas in Nepal.
Pramila Chhetri, who works at a resort in Chitwan, reported significant cancellations, stating, "80 percent of my resort's reservations were cancelled within hours of the floods." She emphasized that not all of Nepal is affected and that many businesses depend on tourism during this critical season.
As the economic impact of the tourism decline is assessed, small-business owners like Rimal and Seeta are already feeling the strain. Seeta mentioned they are subsisting on minimal food due to reduced income, stating, "We are eating only flattened rice and buttermilk for lunch since the income has been drastically reduced." Both expressed hope for an increase in tourist arrivals to support their livelihoods.