Government of Nepal

Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation

Nepal Mountain Academy

NMA

Nepal Sees Increasing International Tourists as COVID Restrictions loosen!

3 November 2020

Translation:

With the government easing restrictions on foreign tourists, tourists from abroad have started coming to Nepal. According to the Immigration Department, foreign nationals' movement, which was negligible till last July, has started increasing after August. The number has also increased in September.

Rajendra Sapkota, a tourism entrepreneur, informed that the government's approval of non-arrival visas on the Department of Tourism and Travel Entrepreneurs' recommendation after October 17 had caused the flow of international visitors.

"There is a glimmer of hope," he said.

The government has announced that Nepal is open for mountaineering and trekking from October 17. Tourists with COVID-19 insurance of $500,000 upon request have been started to provide with arrival visa in Nepal with the schedule of trekking or mountaineering days, mountaineering, and hiking permits being enclosed.

Before that, only employees of foreign diplomatic missions, representatives of development partner organizations, and their families were allowed.

After that, the government had opened the door for foreign workers to work in Nepal. At arrival, however, all foreign nationals have to stay in the hotel quarantine for seven days.

80 foreigners recommended visiting after October 17

According to the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), it has been recommended to provide on arrival visas to 80 tourists who have completed their preparations for Nepal's visit since October 17. This is the figure for Saturday.

According to TAAN President Khum Bahadur Subedi, these 80 tourists want to come to Nepal for a pure visit.

Besides, the arrival of foreigners on the embassy's recommendation for various purposes in Nepal is not included.

Rising Arrivals

According to the Immigration Department, a total of 137 foreigners came to Nepal in July 2077 BS. In that month, 22,932 Nepalis had returned home.

Foreign arrivals increased to 411 in August. The appearance of Nepalis in this month was 15,822.

The number of foreign tourist arrivals has reached 1191 in October. This number is the highest in Chaitra.

The number of Nepalis arriving in September was 46,048. Business owners expect more tourist arrivals in November.

Because the most suitable season for trekking in Nepal is now running, at this time, the trek to Everest base camp is more frequent.

Enthusiasm in domestic tourism

The domestic tourists who took the Dashain holiday opportunity have now made the business owners more enthusiastic.

According to TAAN President Subedi, Pokhara and Chitwan are regular destinations for domestic tourists. There are lots of activities at these two destinations.

Apart from this, trekking in the Everest base area, trekking in Mardi Himal under Annapurna trekking, and more domestic tourists have reached Langtang. He said that this had made the hoteliers in the local area excited.

Source: onlinekhabar