POKHARA, March 7: Tourism entrepreneurs in Nepal say rising tensions in the Middle East are affecting the country’s tourism sector. Due to the conflict, foreign tourists planning to visit Nepal have either canceled or postponed their trips. Hoteliers in Pokhara report a surge in last-minute cancellations, causing significant losses for the industry.
According to business owners, the period from March to May is considered the peak trekking and tourism season in Nepal. Tourists preparing to visit trekking areas have been canceling their bookings rapidly. If the Middle East conflict persists, the tourism sector could face even greater challenges.
“Foreign tourists are canceling bookings en masse. Some who had already arrived are being stopped mid-journey, and some travelers will not be able to arrive at all,” said Dorje Lama, a Pokhara-based tourism entrepreneur. “This season had high expectations, but the conflict in the Middle East has negatively impacted Nepal’s tourism. As tourists were about to start their journeys, travel routes were disrupted and air services affected.”
Lama added that 26 bookings at his resort alone have been canceled. “In some form or another, the tourism sector is always affected. In the previous tourism season, the Gen Z movement disrupted the sector, and the elections caused further issues. Now, the Middle East situation has worsened the impact,” he said.
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According to Lama, the tourism sector has faced some form of disruption over the past decade and a half, whether due to natural disasters, internal issues, or external crises. “The sector has not had a period of calm in the last 15 years. Now, the Middle East conflict has added to the challenges; otherwise, tourist arrivals could have been better,” he said.
Another tourism entrepreneur and former Tourism Board member, Basudev Tripathi, echoed these concerns, saying the current conflict is causing widespread cancellations. “Bookings are being canceled in large numbers. The season is at risk, and the sector is worried. The Middle East tensions have compounded the problem. Travelers are unable to reach their destinations, and some who had started their trips are being stopped midway,” Tripathi said, noting that his own hotel has also experienced cancellations.
He explained that some tourists heading to Nepal have postponed their trips, while others have canceled or temporarily put their journeys on hold. “The tourism season is being fully affected. If the tensions continue, traveling may become impossible. Tourists do not want to face difficulties en route. Many travelers arriving in Pokhara are stranded in transit at airports,” he added.
According to tourism entrepreneurs, most foreign tourists entering Nepal, aside from those from neighboring countries, rely on airspace over Gulf countries. Due to the Middle East tensions, flights over the region are disrupted, which directly affects Nepal-bound tourism.
Entrepreneurs noted that tourists from the U.S., Europe, and Gulf countries typically travel via Middle Eastern air routes. With these flights halted, tourist arrivals are expected to decline, affecting peak season bookings.
Maniraj Lamichhane, head of the Tourism Board in Gandaki Province, said the sector is facing challenges at the start of the season. “Tourism is in a difficult position right at the beginning of the season. Air travel uncertainty is affecting arrivals this month. Most European and American tourists rely on Gulf airspace to reach Nepal. Since flights on that route are disrupted, many tourists have postponed their travel,” Lamichhane said.
He added that if the tensions persist, tourist arrivals may be delayed further. Tourists from Middle Eastern countries, as well as Americans and Europeans using Middle Eastern airspace, are the most affected. “Tourists from the Middle East also come to Nepal, but the majority of European and American visitors use Gulf routes. Travel difficulties and uncertainties have increased for all travelers,” he said.
“The main air route connecting Nepal with the U.S. and Europe is over the Middle East. With flights halted and some airports closed, many travelers are stranded mid-journey. In this situation, the likelihood of tourists coming for sightseeing is extremely low,” he added.
