Recent anti-government rallies and violent demonstrations in Nepal have severely impacted the country’s tourism industry. These protests coincided with the start of the peak tourist season. According to information from the tourism department and hotel owners, there has been a 30% decrease in tourist arrivals compared to last year. Numerous bookings have also been canceled following the violence.
While shops, restaurants, and pubs in Thamel, the main tourist area of Kathmandu, have reopened, the lack of tourists has created an eerie silence. The anti-government violence resulted in 72 fatalities and over 2,000 injuries. Approximately 1.2 million tourists visit Nepal annually, and tourism contributes 8% to the country’s GDP.