BMD

Efforts are underway to create some new tourism products and attractions in Nepal even when COVID-19 has kept on hitting this industry hard. It is needless to reiterate that tourism in Nepal is one of the important sectors to contribute to foreign exchange earnings and employment creation.
But this vulnerable industry has been grappling with an unprecedented crisis globally ever since the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic about 16 months ago. Although many cultural as well as adventure tourism destinations in Nepal are ready to welcome guests, there is still no tourism-friendly environment due to this global public health emergency. Foreign tourists have also been eager to come here to experience the exclusive Nepali culture and hospitality and scenic beauty.

One of the new tourist attractions is the Sindhuligadhi Museum. Located at a height of 1,350 metres above sea level on the BP Highway, Sindhuligadhi is a historical place where the Nepal-Anglo War had taken place more than 200 years back. Sindhuligadhi is undoubtedly one of the places where the Nepali soldiers had been able to defeat the British troops.
Developed by the Nepali Army, museum is sure to be a vital attraction among domestic as well as foreign tourists. This is the first war museum that seeks to protect the country’s glorious history. Constructed with a budget of about Rs. 70 million, the museum houses a theatre displaying the historical importance of the fort home-made weapons used by the then Gorkha Army in the war, canons, historical documents, and uniforms worn by the Nepali and English troops. The museum covers an area of about 6,281 square feet. The main palace of Sindhuli fort, well-known as the Rani Durbar, is also being reconstructed.

Inaugurating the museum recently, President Bidya Devi Bhandari said that the stunning Sindhuligadhi could emerge as a destination not only for travellers but also for researchers and students from home and abroad.
Similarly, a novel trekking route to Mardi Himal has been constructed with a cost of about Rs. 1.5 million. The route that starts from Melbot in Pokhara passes through Astam, Dhital, Dhampus, Pritam Deurali, Dhital Lwang and Ghalel Kalimati. Under this project, several tourism-related infrastructures have also been constructed along the trail. The new route facilitates trekkers willing to reach the 5,587-metre mountain.
But tourism is unlikely to revive anytime soon with a fresh resurge in COVID-19 infections, hospitalisations and deaths. The situation of this business even in the upcoming autumn hinges on how the pandemic will take its course. Health scientists have warned of an emergence of the third wave of the contagion by mid-October. The period starting from September to November is considered to the main tourist season in the country. Prior to the eruption of COVID-19, the country used to host hundreds of thousands of international tourists in autumn. With growing incomes and travel culture, more domestic tourists would also visit various tourist spots across the nation. But the situation has worsened owing to the current pandemic.

The government has now eased the coronavirus restrictions in most parts of the country. However, many of the tourism-related enterprises such as travel agencies, transport companies, hotels, resorts and restaurants have remained either fully or partially closed. Even the movement of domestic travellers has been reduced significantly for the fear of the contagion. However, domestic as well as international airlines are in operation.