न्यूज अभियान
हरेक खबर विशेष खबर

Kathmandu, Sept 21: The tourism sector in Nepal has suffered losses amounting to Rs 52.67 billion due to the floods in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa on August 26. 
This was revealed in a report submitted on Monday to Tourism Minister Khadak Raj Paudel by the Rapid Response Team (QRT). The QRT had been formed by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation under the coordination of Nepal Tourism Board member Sahadev Dhamala. 
According to the report, the floods and landslides caused extensive damage to tourism infrastructure, hotels and tourism businesses, transport access, trekking routes, and tourist management systems, particularly in the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha. 
QRT Coordinator Dhamala stated that, sector-wise, the estimated losses are highest in the hotel sector (Rs 19.56 billion), followed by foreign tourism revenue (Rs 14.60 billion) and tourist management (Rs 12.26 billion). 
According to him, a total of 1,117 Nepali and foreign tourists have been affected by the floods and landslides. So far, 310 people have been safely rescued, and 13 others have made contact. However, 794 individuals comprising 606 foreigners and 188 Nepalis remain out of contact. 
The report emphasizes that post-disaster tourism recovery should not be limited merely to reconstructing damaged infrastructure; instead, a safe and sustainable tourism system must be developed by also taking into account potential future climate-related risks. 
Receiving the report, Minister Paudel pledged to restore safety, communication, and transport access to key destinations before the upcoming tourist season by effectively implementing a joint action plan developed in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board and the private sector.