Welcome tourists back—but build resilient systems to keep them safe

The Bhotekoshi flood has once again reminded us that Nepal needs a resilient tourism system to withstand major shocks.

It’s nearly October. This month marks the end of the monsoon season in Nepal. The skies clear, and snow-capped mountains welcome tourists. But things are different this year. The Bhotekoshi flash flood that struck the Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts last month has sent shockwaves globally. More than 1,500 people died, and over 5,000 remain missing, including as many as 795 tourists ( 607 of whom were foreigners ). As a result, major tourist destinations across Nepal that would otherwise have bustled with visitors have remained largely quiet.