Protect Tourism, Protect Nepal’s Economy

Nepal's tourism sector has been hit hard again, just as hopes were rising for a strong season. The Gen Z protests of September 8 and 9 turned violent as angry protesters clashed with security forces, vandalized property, and set fire to public and private infrastructure. The two days of unrest saw several large and small hotels, departmental stores, government buildings, private houses, and property reduced to ashes in major cities and towns. The aftermath was horrifying for a country that has worked hard to rebuild itself after the 2015 earthquake, the blockade, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism had just begun to regain momentum after years of setbacks. The peak season was days away, and hotel lobbies were preparing to welcome guests from Europe, America, and Asia. Trekking agencies had confirmed bookings, tour guides were preparing to head to the mountains, and airlines were seeing strong demand. But all of this suffered a severe setback. Early estimates put economic losses at more than Rs 25 billion, with nearly two dozen hotels vandalized, looted, or set ablaze in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, and other cities. The Hilton Hotel alone is believed to have suffered damages exceeding Rs 8 billion. Beyond the financial blow, the protests sent an uncomfortable message to the outside world: Nepal can still appear unstable, and visitors may hesitate to come when safety looks uncertain. For the hotel industry, this is especially painful.