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.















