Hotel Association Chief Urges Global Safety Message for Nepal Tourism

Kathmandu. Hotel Association Nepal President Binayak Shah has stated the need to immediately spread the message worldwide that Nepal is completely safe for travel.

He emphasized the need to immediately launch promotional campaigns in major markets like India and China for tourism recovery, as the flood in Bhote Koshi has negatively impacted Nepal's tourist areas. He pointed out the need to clarify the difference between disaster-affected areas and tourist destinations that are in normal condition, stating that major tourist destinations like Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Pokhara are completely normal. He said that the government, Nepal Tourism Board, Nepali embassies abroad, and the private sector must work together to prevent wrong messages from going international. President Shah said, 'Nepal Tourism Board should go to India and China before Dashain-Tihar to market Nepal. The flood disaster is only in the Bhote Koshi corridor, not throughout Nepal. Areas like Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Pokhara are normal. Nepali embassies worldwide, the Tourism Board, and the private sector must work together to strongly convey this message to the international market.' He stressed the need to provide accurate information to tourists interested in adventure tourism such as trekking, mountaineering, and rafting about the real situation. Recalling that the Nepali tourism sector has faced challenges during the earthquake and COVID pandemic in the past, he expressed confidence that the tourism sector can be revived by moving forward in a planned manner this time as well. He suggested utilizing the global network of international airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Qatar Airways for tourism recovery. He stated that a positive message has been sent that Nepal's tourism sector is returning to normal after Flydubai started daily flights from Pokhara from September 23. He added, 'We are urging the government to use the reach of the world's major airlines for Nepal's tourism promotion. When international airlines promote that Nepal is safe, more tourists will come, which will also increase their business. If we move forward with a master plan before Dashain-Tihar, we will not have to suffer huge losses this season. We have both the capacity and experience to recover.' President Shah said that effective information dissemination and coordinated action plans should be prioritized to minimize economic losses that may occur during the main tourist season of Dashain-Tihar. Informing that the trend of tourist booking cancellations has been decreasing recently, he also urged for relief to be provided to entrepreneurs and employees affected by the disaster. He stated that the Hotel Association is disseminating the message that Nepal is safe for travel through its international contacts and travel agents by operating the 'Nepal Calling, Nepal Now' campaign.