Nepal urges tourists to return, says country ‘completely safe’ after protests

Nepal Protest IAFP)

Concerned about the impact of recent protests on one of Nepal’s biggest economic drivers, tourism, citizens have taken to social media to reassure foreigners that the country is “completely safe” and steadily regaining normalcy.

Across major cities, young Nepalis posted messages online stressing that the agitation was “only against the government” and not directed at visitors.

The push came as the Nepal Tourism Board announced that visas expiring during the unrest, from September 8 onwards, would be renewed free of charge.

One widely followed X account, ‘Routine of Nepal Banda’, which has more than a million followers, shared a photo of foreign tourists dancing to Nepali folk music, captioned: “Appeal to tourists... Nepal back to normal. Please visit our beautiful country. Perfect reason to do so... We request people abroad to promote our tourism at this time.”

Another user wrote on Instagram, “Nepal has always welcomed guests with open arms. We may lack wealth, but we are rich in love for our visitors. Tourists will never be troubled here.”

According to a Times of India report, several foreign tourists said they were not deterred by the unrest. One of them, 29-year-old Luke Ziccardi, a logistics worker from England, told the newspaper that he had long planned to trek to Everest Base Camp before turning 30 in November.

“I was initially nervous after reading about the protests, but my teammates in Kathmandu assured me it was safe. Travel agents are operating normally, so I’ve decided to continue with my plan. Reaching Everest Base Camp has always been my dream,” Ziccardi was quoted as saying.

Indian visitors in Kathmandu also voiced confidence. A group from Mumbai visiting the Pashupatinath temple said they had faced no difficulties. Dr Gita Singh, part of the group of doctors and lawyers, told TOI: “We weren’t disturbed anywhere during our visits to popular sites after landing here on September 7. We’d happily return because we feel a strong people-to-people bond with Nepal.”