The Gen Z protests, which were held to demand no corruption governance and other issues, have caused losses worth around Rs 25 billion to the country’s tourism sector. However, stakeholders have expressed confidence that the sector will soon return to normal condition.
The country suffered human and significant material losses during the protests. The three organs of state – the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary – were physically attacked, and the journalism sector was also damaged. In addition, there has been extensive damage to private property. Many protesters are still receiving treatment in hospitals.
The protests that took place on 8th and 9th September have not only caused damage to the country’s physical infrastructure and human lives, but it also generated a negative impact on Nepal’s international reputation. This situation has slowed down tourism as the tourist season is about to begin. Moreover, some tourism infrastructure has also been damaged in the movement.
A certain amount of confusion has been created in the tourism sector after a small percentage of bookings from foreign nationals arriving for the tourist season were canceled. The latest incident has once again shocked the tourism sector, which was weakened by the earthquake, blockade, and the Corona pandemic, as it is slowly returning to its old rhythm. However, experts and stakeholders have expressed confidence that the tourism sector will recover soon, saying that the situation is not like that of past disasters.
Experts expressed confidence that Nepal’s tourism sector will revive soon. The protests have not caused major problems in important sectors of the economy, such as remittances, agriculture and tourism, so it will not take long to recover. Although infrastructures as damaged, Trekking, religious and adventure tourism are not affected.
Some tourists may be discouraged due to the problems seen at Tribhuvan International Airport, the main entry point for foreign tourists. However, the government needs to promote it positively in the international community.
It also realised that the tourism sector has had recovered quickly even after past disasters – the earthquake of 2015 and COVID 19 pandemic. However, the Government must support the sector with prioritizing its early recovery.
Nepal Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Deepak Raj Joshi said that initiatives have been taken to revive tourism. “Based on past experience and with the support of international organizations related to tourism, Nepal’s tourism will revive soon,” he said. He informed that there are currently about 15,000 foreign tourists in Nepal and the board has given high priority to ensuring that they do not have any negative perceptions.
Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) president Binayak Shah stressed the need for all stakeholders to unite and move forward to revive tourism. “As the tourist season is about to begin, it is important to convey a positive message from Nepal,” he said. HAN has stated that nearly two dozen hotels have been severely damaged during the Gen Z protests. According to initial estimates, hotels operating in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Jhapa, Biratnagar and other areas have been vandalized, arsonized and looted. It is estimated that the Hilton Hotel in Kathmandu alone has suffered losses of over eight billion. Initial estimates suggest that the economic losses in the tourism sector across the country have exceeded 25 billion.
