Earthquake hits Nepal's tourism industry

MUMBAI: The massive earthquake that has devastated Nepal has dealt a severe blow to its tourism industry, just when it was getting ready to usher in the new season after putting behind memories of the storms that killed nearly two dozen hikers late last year.

Travel companies have been fielding frantic phone calls from travellers who were scheduled to visit the Himalayan nation, a favourite destination with tourists from across the world, including India. Every year, Indians visit Nepal’s World Heritage sites, its UNESCO monuments, Buddhist and Hindu temples, apart from the majestic Everest.

“Several tourist spots have been affected, roads have been wiped out, and buildings damaged by the earthquake,” says Sarabjit Singh, senior vice-president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators.

Nepal received 7,97,616 tourists in 2013. India is number one in tourist arrivals to Nepal, and has grown from 93,884 in 2009 to 1,80,974 in 2013, according to a Nepal tourism ministry report in 2013.