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People walk past Pashupatinath Temple, one of the tourist attractions in Nepal's capital Kathmandu, on the 5th (local time). / AP, Yonhap

Nepal's tourism industry is reeling from the aftermath of devastating floods, with a wave of hotel cancellations hitting the sector. In response, the government is scrambling to roll out measures, including a tourism promotion campaign and a dedicated welfare fund, while industry professionals are urging special relief actions.  

According to Nepali media outlet Kantipur on the 5th (local time), hotels in Kathmandu's Thamel district—the central hub of Nepalese tourism and the top destination for backpackers and trekkers—saw 20% of their bookings for September through November canceled within a week following the catastrophic flooding. The September-to-November window represents Nepal's peak tourism season, typically accounting for roughly 40% of annual visitor arrivals.Tourist arrivals have also declined. 

The Nepal Tourism Board reported that foreign tourist arrivals last month stood at 85,444, down 3.65% compared to the same period last year (88,680). While the full-month figure for August might not seem like a drastic plunge at first glance, Kantipur noted that because the severe flooding struck on the 26th of last month, the sharp contraction took place within just six days.  

In fact, foreign tourist arrivals in July had reached 71,775, up 2.3% year-on-year from 70,193. July sits right before the high season, and this modest annual increase pointed toward signs of recovery in Nepal's tourism sector.Given Nepal's economic reliance on tourism and agriculture, the Nepal Tourism Board and government agencies are stepping forward with relief measures.

Khadak Raj Paudel, Nepal's Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, posted a campaign video on social media featuring the hashtag #NepalCalling to encourage prospective travelers to visit.  

Minister Paudel appealed, "While certain regions have been affected by these floods, the vast majority of tourist destinations remain safe," adding, "We are fully prepared to welcome you. If you have already planned a trip to Nepal, please do not cancel your itinerary."  

He went on to emphasize, "Visiting Nepal right now is not just a vacation; it provides immense support to Nepal as it battles through this tragic flash flood disaster."  

Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stressed to foreign embassies and international development partners that "the flooding was confined to specific central and northern areas rather than the entire country, and major tourist hubs and airports—including Kathmandu, Annapurna, and Lumbini—are operating normally."  

The Ministry of Tourism is preparing to establish a welfare fund for tourism workers in affected areas, while the Nepal Tourism Board is reviewing recovery packages that include discounts on airfare and hotel accommodations.  As declining visitor numbers threaten not only financial losses but also Nepal's international standing, the tourism industry is calling on the government for a clear strategy to restore confidence.  

Representatives from hotel associations and travel agencies pointed out, "Simply declaring that the country is 'safe' is not enough; we need to rebuild trust through overseas embassies and diplomatic channels." They also suggested, "Special measures such as visa waivers, hotel discounts, and airfare reductions are urgently needed to draw international travelers."  

                                                                                                             Park Jin-sook