Nepal's second catastrophe — what threatens the country's recovery

After floods in Nepal that killed over 1,000 people, the country faces a new problem: tourists are massively canceling trips, even though main routes are open. The cancellation rate has exceeded 20%, dealing a blow to tourism, which accounts for 6.7% of GDP. Authorities have launched the #NepalCalling campaign, and experts urge not to cancel travel but to act wisely.

Three weeks after massive floods in Nepal killed over 1,000 people and left more than 5,000 missing, the country faces a new threat — mass cancellations of tourist trips. The cancellation rate for hotel bookings in Kathmandu and Pokhara has exceeded 20%, even for locations far from the disaster zone. Tourism provides about 6.7% of Nepal's GDP and employs over a million people. The Tourism Board launched the #NepalCalling campaign, and the ministers of tourism and foreign affairs stated that main routes and airports are open and safe. Israeli tour operators confirm that cancellations hit the most vulnerable — guides, porters, guesthouse owners. October is a preparation month, and the dry season starts in November; canceling trips during this period is a heavy blow for local communities relying on these months for annual income.