BMD

Tourism in Nepal is likely to revive gradually from this autumn as the country has now witnessed a remarkable fall in COVID-19 infections and deaths. This sector has already started showing some indications of recovery with the resumption of many international flights to and from Kathmandu.

There is no denying the fact that tourism has remained one of the hardest-hit sectors globally since the outbreak of the current global public health crisis some 20 months ago. Nepal has not been an exception. Tourism incomes have been all-time low as the deadly viral disease has continued to spread worldwide.

However, the ongoing inoculation drive against the pandemic has generated a lot of confidence among the people globally. With the rollout of vaccines against the pandemic gaining pace throughout the world, many destinations have now begun hosting domestic and international tourists.

One of the encouraging signs of possible tourism revival in Nepal is that foreign climbers have started applying for permits to attempt mountains. Last week, the Department of Tourism (DoT) issued permits to two teams that are going to attempt Mt. Manaslu this autumn. The teams have a total of 25 climbers. The DoT has collected Rs. 2.646 million as royalty from the climbers. The country may also welcome many other expeditions to different mountains and thousands of trekkers and nature lovers during this autumn.

The government has lifted most of COVID-related restrictions. However, it has yet to remove the provision of 10-day quarantine for foreign tourists. As soon as this curb is lifted, the country is sure to receive a lot of vaccinated travellers from different parts of the world. Another important achievement is that Nepal and Sri Lanka have now been connected by air. Sri Lankan Airlines has launched its flight service since August 31. At present, the airline is operating two weekly flights (on Tuesdays and Saturdays) between Colombo and Kathmandu.

The direct air connectivity between the two nations is expected to boost bilateral trade and tourism. Besides, this will help establish people-to-people relations between the two topographically divergent nations (Nepal as a Himalayan country and Sri Lanka as an island nation). The airline operates flights with its 158-seater Airbus A320 plane. The flight lands at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) at 9:40 am and departs to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo at 10:40 am.

According to Zenith Travels (P) Ltd. that represents Sri Lankan Airlines in Nepal, the carrier is planning to add one more flight a week on this sector. With a lot of Buddhist population, Sri Lanka holds immense tourism potential for Nepal. A large number of Sri Lankans want to visit Lumbini and other Buddhist sites in the country.

In 2018, Nepal welcomed as many as 69,640 Sri Lankan travellers. Their number, however, dropped to some 56,000 in 2019. Almost 98 per cent of the Sri Lankan tourists entered the country through Bhairahawa. Once the situation returns to normalcy, Nepal is sure to receive more Buddhist travellers from Sri Lanka. As Sri Lankan Airlines is expanding its network, tourists from different other countries may also find it easier to visit Nepal.
Currently, many Nepalis travelling to Saudi Arabia as well as other labour destinations of the Middle East have started booking its flights as its airfare is lower as compared to other airlines. It is needless to say that the arrival of new international carrier amidst this pandemic is a good signal.