Tourists cancel Nepal trips amid unrest, leaving operators distressed

Bangladeshi tourists are cancelling planned trips to Nepal en masse out of safety concerns amid violent unrest in the neighbouring country, which has seen at least 25 deaths, its premier resign and flee, the military take over, and curfews imposed.

Renowned for its cultural sites and scenic landscapes, Nepal has become one of the prominent tourism destinations in recent years, with the number of tourists increasing by 34 percent last year. Its visa-on-arrival facility for Bangladeshis has further boosted demand, particularly as many other destinations, including India and Western countries, have tightened entry restrictions.

Now, industry insiders fear that the current chaos in the Himalayan country could result in a setback for growth.

The interim government has advised Bangladeshis to avoid trips to the country until the situation subsides.

Besides, the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) has already instructed all of its member operators to advise their clients currently in Nepal to stay inside hotels as a precaution, the association's President Md Rafeuzjaman told The Daily Star.

"There's no concrete data on how many Bangladeshi tourists are presently in Nepal, since most tour operators do not maintain or share client-specific records," he said.

Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) has already instructed all of its member operators to advise their clients currently in Nepal to stay inside hotels as a precaution

However, others say that even without any intervention from TOAB, tourists are taking action on their own.

"No tourists will be travelling from Bangladesh to Nepal in the next two weeks," said Taufiq Uddin Ahmed, a former TOAB president.

"The uncertainty has led to voluntary cancellations. Most are postponing or dropping their plans due to safety concerns," he added.

The unrest in Nepal comes at a time when trips to the country usually begin to surge as the clear autumn sky, mild temperatures, and low rainfall provide a pleasant experience. This is also the best season for trekking since the mountain views are sharp and unobstructed. Major festivals like Dashain and Tihar also take place.

Mohammad Ashiqur Rahman, senior tour counsellor executive at leading tour company Obokash, confirmed that several Bangladeshi tourists are still in popular destinations like Pokhara, which offers scenic lakes and adventure sports, Chitwan National Park for wildlife, and Nagarkot, which offers stunning Himalayan views, as well as the Everest Base Camp trek for serious trekkers.

"We are monitoring the situation closely. While inquiries and bookings are still trickling in, we have put all departures on hold until the situation improves," Rahman said.

No untoward incidents involving the tourists have been reported so far.

"But if the unrest prolongs, it will be detrimental for both the Bangladeshi and Nepali tourism industries," Imranul Alam, managing director of Tour Group Bangladesh, said.

He added that, on average, around 200 people travel to Nepal each year through his agency, and the current situation is already impacting his business.

"I am currently in discussions with a corporate client to arrange a trip to Nepal in the upcoming October. However, due to the ongoing situation, the client has already expressed considerable hesitation," he said.

Others echo similar concerns.

Mainul Islam Razu, owner of Digonto Travel Freak, said on average, 35 to 40 people travel to Nepal through his agency each year.

"Our standard Nepal tour packages start at Tk 1 lakh, including airfare and accommodation. With only a 7 to 8 percent profit margin, even a slight decline in travellers leads to significant losses," he explained.

Apart from affordability and easy entry, Razu pointed out that people visit Nepal seeking peace and nature. "If that sense of safety disappears, they will look for alternative destinations."

But alternatives can be costly. For instance, the airfare for Malaysia or Sri Lanka alone can be up to Tk 70,000 during peak seasons like Durga Puja, which might reduce trips to those places as well.

The strain on tour operators comes at a time when they are also struggling domestically.

"Saint Martin's has just reopened, but Tanguar Haor has been a complete flop since last month, especially in September. Overall, it's been a very tough year for the travel industry," said Razu.

Meanwhile, airlines have also taken precautionary measures. Biman Bangladesh Airlines, with 114 passengers, diverted its Kathmandu-bound flight back to Dhaka amid the volatile situation.

Himalaya Airlines, a Nepalese airline operating from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, cancelled its scheduled flight following the unrest.

Fakhrul Hassan Bhuiyan, a tour operator, said Bangladeshi travellers now mostly visit Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, as many other destinations impose strict visa restrictions.

"On average, about 2,000 Bangladeshis fly abroad every day, and 6 to 7 percent of them choose Nepal," he said. "But just yesterday, one of our guests couldn't even land and had to return."

Bhuiyan also said Nepal's popularity surged after India closed its borders. "Earlier, we sold maybe five or six Nepal packages a month. Recently, that number rose to 35–40. Naturally, the unrest has had a major impact."

Communication with Nepalese partners has also broken down.

"They mostly deal B2B with us, not directly with Bangladeshi travellers. WhatsApp was their main channel, and its shutdown has made things even harder," he said.

"Just last week, we were about to finalise a corporate deal with a renowned company to send 88 guests to Nepal, but that too has been put on hold," Bhuiyan added.

However, industry insiders expect the situation not to prolong as Nepal is also dependent on Bangladeshi tourists.

In 2024 alone, nearly 49,000 Bangladeshi tourists visited Nepal, up from over 36,000 the year before, cementing Bangladesh's position as one of Nepal's key source markets.

"Nepal's economy is heavily reliant on tourism, and the people are generally very welcoming. So far, there are no reports of protesters targeting foreign tourists. The situation will likely stabilise soon," said ex-TOAB chief Ahmed.