Kathmandu— More than 1,330 bodies have been recovered from the August 26 flash floods in Rasuwagadhi, Nepal, while an estimated 5,600 are missing. The disaster, which hit the Langtang and Gosainkunda trekking regions, has caused significant damage to the tourism sector, with a loss of about Rs. 50 billion. Despite the challenges, the government and tourism bodies are urging international tourists to continue visiting Nepal's key destinations, including the Khumbu and Annapurna regions.

Government and Tourism Board Response

In response to the disaster, the government and tourism bodies are working to restore confidence in the tourism sector. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel has appealed to prospective foreign tourists to continue visiting Nepal. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is disseminating information to counter negative publicity. Diplomatic missions are being mobilised to provide objective information about the country's situation. The government is also considering providing incentives like gratis visas to foreign visitors and offering more attractive tour packages to potential tourists. These efforts aim to mitigate the impact of the disaster on the tourism industry and ensure its resilience in the face of future challenges.

While the tourism sector faces significant challenges, the government and tourism bodies are working to restore confidence and promote Nepal abroad. The country's tourism sector has shown resilience in the past, recovering from the 2015 earthquake, the 2024 floods, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.