Nepal reopens tourism

After a six-month-long Covid-19 lockdown, as a part of gradual opening and as per the Government of Nepal’s decision to allow the operation of domestic flights, intercity buses, hotels, restaurants, and other tourism businesses to reopen from September 17, 2020; domestic tourism movements have restarted. The Government has also decided to allow Trekking and Mountaineering activities for foreign visitors from October 17, 2020. The tourism businesses have to follow the aligned health and safety protocols in operation, and the government has set up an effective monitoring mechanism to enhance traveler confidence and ensure safe travel experiences. The Department of Immigration has decided to resume all its regular visa services from September 13. Visa will be regulated as per their prior notice dated August 17 without any late fees and penalties till September 27, 2020. After the reopening, service providers in destinations including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitawan, Lumbini, Annapurna, Everest, Langtang, Ilam, Bardiya, and others are getting encouraging inquiries and bookings from domestic travelers. The mountains, trekking routes and national parks in Nepal, being naturally isolated in destination, clear the way for tourism activities to resume again with the necessary health and safety protocols in place.