The tourism in Nepal has developed and evolved way beyond the mountain activities. There was a time when trekking and mountaineering were the top tourists activities in Nepal but the motives of tourists arriving in Nepal has vastly changed over the years. Though the trekking activities are still one of th favourites but the leisure and holiday tourism has topped the lists. The potential of Nepal in the field of tourism is slowly being explored and recognised over the years.
Now with the pandemic on hand, not only in Nepal but the global tourism has seen a loss like never before. While few of the countries has resumed tourism after the crazy hiatus of 8 months, Nepal has also joined into the action. The Himalayan nation has finally resumed tourism and allowed the foreign nationals to visit Nepal but only for trekking and mountain activities.
Internationals tourists can only travel to Nepal for trekking and mountaineering as of now but procedure has slightly changed than it used to be. Tourists traveling to Nepal from foreign countries to Nepal should now give prior notice, get permission, create an insurance worth $5000, provide PCR negative report and then apply for the visa as there is no on arrival visa for now.
Despite the resumption of tourism and International flights to Nepal, the tourist activities are only limited to trekking and mountaineering. While the domestic tourists who are filling the gaps in the absence of internationals tourists could be a part of different tourists activities but the foreign nationals arriving for tourism is only allowed for trekking and mountaineering.
It seems, Nepal is only accepting limited number of tourists arrival as of now. The limited tourists activities will only results in the few arrival of international tourists. However, the numbers might increase in the coming days as Nepal is probably the top destination when it comes to trekking.
Now the real question here is, can Nepal handle the arrival of tourists and tourism with the growing cases of Covid-19 on hand ? It is not just hard for Nepal but for the whole world as well to handle the Covid-19 situation. The tourism activities might have been limited as per the ability of the Nepal Government to handle the situation. While many tourism entrepreneurs wants, different tourists activities to resume for foreign nationals as well, it does not seem to be the right time to do so as the Covid-19 situation does not seem to be improving at all.
As per the protocols, only the PCR negative foreign nationals will be allowed to visit Nepal and travel to their trekking destination but there might be a chance (even the slightest) that these tourists might develop symptoms of the virus during their trip as different parts of Nepal is affected by the virus. With the limited health services, Nepal could be helpless if things go south.
So only allowing as much international tourists to visit Nepal as the Himalayan nation could handle might be the best plan as of now. Until and unless, there is a new method and new plans and precautions, the limited number of activities and tourists arrival might be good for both tourists and the tourism industry of Nepal as a whole.
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