Nepal tourism depends on Indians for restoration

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

In spite of the COVID-19 induced economic slowdown, Nepal is anticipating to host about 2 lakh foreign tourists in the ongoing fiscal year 2020-21, of which majorities are expected to be Indians, as per Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) officials.

The current fiscal year of NTB is set to end in mid-July 2021.

Although ties between India and Nepal are tense over the Himalayan nation’s controversial map incorporating the Indian territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura, Indian tourists continue to be the stronghold for Nepal’s tourism industry.

“We still have 10 months of this fiscal year and flights may not resume before September. We have estimated that over 200,000 tourists will visit Nepal during this period. We have also finalized our policy and programmes that mentions the target,” said Deepak Mahat, a member of the NTB.

“Out of the set target, we expect the majority to be Indian tourists. In the earlier years, the number of Indians has stood high and we are confident that it would remain the same. Once the situation here improves, the numbers will increase,” Mahat added.

Nepal witnessed a total of 1.17 million foreign tourists last year, which was slightly less in 2018 at 1.52 million. Around 209,611 Indians visited the Himalayan nation followed by China at 169,543.

Tourism is Nepal’s chief source of revenue, suffering a loss of more than one billion Nepali rupees as a result of the pandemic. Majority of Indians visiting Nepal go to religious sites like Pashupatinath, Lumbini, Pokhara and other places of interests. Indian pilgrims also flock to Nepalgunj, taking a flight to Humla’s Simikot from where they avail a chartered helicopter service to Hilsa, while heading for Kailash Mansarovar.

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