Nationwide protests in Nepal have killed at least 72 people and injured over 2,000, causing tourist arrivals to drop by around 30% during what should be a peak trekking season.
Multiple countries have updated their travel advisories, and many trekking tours and hotel bookings are being cancelled.
Tourism represents nearly 8% of Nepal’s GDP and is under severe strain as the unrest disrupts travel plans.
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Deadly Unrest Erupts During Peak Season
Nepal is grappling with its deadliest protests in decades, which erupted just as the autumn peak tourist season began.
The unrest started in early September when thousands of young Nepalis protested a sudden ban on social media platforms – a move that became the catalyst for broader anger over corruption and nepotism.
Clashes between demonstrators and police quickly turned violent, resulting in deadly crackdowns. So far, at least 72 people have been killed and over 2,000 injured in the turmoil.
The chaos forced former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign, and authorities even imposed curfews in major cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara at the height of the violence.
The timing could not have been worse for Nepal’s travel industry. September to December is traditionally peak season for tourism, when trekkers from around the world flock to Nepal’s Himalayas and cultural sites.
Kathmandu – renowned for its ancient temples and bustling markets, and a gateway for those climbing Mount Everest – would normally be teeming with visitors at this time.
Instead, the streets tell a different story. In Thamel, Kathmandu’s popular tourist district, shops, pubs and restaurants that would usually be packed with foreigners have been left largely deserted in the aftermath of the riots.
Many businesses had just reopened when fresh violence emptied the streets again. The protests also saw mob attacks on symbols of authority and wealth: demonstrators stormed and set fire to the Parliament building and even torched luxury hotels including the Hilton and Hyatt Regency in Kathmandu, reflecting the depth of public fury. Such scenes of destruction during what should be a festive trekking season have been jarring for locals and visitors alike.
Tourism Industry Reels from Sharp Decline
The unrest has delivered an immediate blow to Nepal’s tourism-dependent businesses. Industry reports indicate tourist arrivals have plunged about 30% compared to the same time last year. “I am sitting outside idle because there are no tourists …
Many groups have cancelled in September,” said Ram Chandra Giri, a 49-year-old who arranges trekking expeditions in Kathmandu. He noted that roughly 35% of his clients cancelled their treks amid the turmoil.
The story is the same across the sector: Renu Baniya, who owns a small hotel, said every single booking for the next month has been cancelled. Tour operators, guides, and mountaineering agencies report a wave of postponements and refund requests as foreign travelers pull out at the last minute.
Such a collapse in bookings is alarming because tourism is a pillar of Nepal’s economy, contributing nearly 8% of the country’s GDP in recent years.
In a typical year, Nepal welcomes about 1.2 million international visitors, drawn by world-famous treks to Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit, as well as cultural attractions in Kathmandu Valley.
This seasonal slump, if prolonged, threatens livelihoods nationwide – from urban hotels and restaurants to Sherpa guides and porters in mountain villages.
Business owners and officials fear the images of chaos will deter travelers beyond the immediate crisis. Damage to prominent hotels and government buildings could send a negative signal to potential visitors, Nepal Tourism Board CEO Deepak Raj Joshi warned.
The sight of a landmark five-star hotel like the Hilton charred by fire is not only a blow to Nepal’s reputation but also a practical setback – those rooms will be out of service for some time, and planned events have been disrupted. “This might give a negative message not only to visitors but to investors as well,” Joshi said of the recent destruction.
The economic ripple effect is wide: if tourist numbers remain depressed, it could hurt foreign exchange earnings and employment in a country where one in every twelve jobs was linked to travel and tourism pre-pandemic.
Travel Advisories and Widespread Disruptions
In response to the violence, numerous countries have issued or updated travel advisories warning about the unrest in Nepal. Dramatic footage of protesters burning tires in the streets and a flaming parliament building made headlines worldwide, prompting governments to urge caution.
The United States State Department, for example, raised its Nepal advisory to “Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” citing the risk of civil unrest. India – Nepal’s neighbor and a major source of tourists – went further by advising its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Nepal until the situation stabilizes.
The UK’s Foreign Office likewise cautioned visitors to stay away from demonstrations and noted that curfews and communication blackouts could occur on short notice.
Would-be travelers from China, Australia, and other countries have also been told to exercise heightened vigilance or postpone trips. These warnings have had an immediate chilling effect on new bookings, as safety concerns climb to the top of travelers’ minds.
On the ground, the unrest has caused significant disruptions to transportation and services. Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport – the country’s main air gateway – was shut down at the peak of the protests, stranding thousands of passengers for several days.
Flights were cancelled or diverted as smoke from burning buildings drifted near the flight paths. “We felt abandoned…there was no food or water,” one stranded traveler told local media, describing the chaotic scene during the airport closure.
Operations have since resumed, and the airport re-opened on 10 September once the initial violence subsided. Major highways were intermittently blocked by demonstrations, and citywide curfews in hotspots like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar and Bharatpur brought ground transport to a halt for hours or days.
Popular tourist sites, from Kathmandu’s Durbar Square to lakeside Pokhara, temporarily emptied out as both locals and foreigners stayed indoors during government-imposed curfews.
Travelers already in Nepal during the turmoil have faced enormous challenges. Hotel staff shortages and periodic internet blackouts (due to the now-lifted social media ban) made it difficult at times for visitors to get information or help.
Some embassies arranged evacuation flights for their citizens when commercial flights were suspended. For those stuck beyond their planned itineraries, the Nepali government offered a small grace: tourists whose visas expired during the crisis would be allowed to leave without penalty fees once flights resumed.
This measure helped a number of trekkers and travelers who had been unable to depart due to the shutdown. Still, many foreigners have cut their trips short or deferred travel plans. Trekking agencies report that even in regions unaffected by protests, guides are idled because trekkers have canceled.
The impact on Nepal’s trekking industry is especially severe – autumn is typically when mountaineers attempt climbs and hikers fill the trails, but this year base camps are far quieter than usual as expeditions get called off last-minute.
Cautious Optimism as Calm Returns
After over a week of nationwide turmoil, relative calm has returned to Nepal’s streets under a new interim government. An interim Prime Minister (Chief Justice Sushila Karki) has been appointed to lead until fresh elections, and the army’s presence has helped restore order in city centers.
In Kathmandu, cleanup crews are clearing debris from the charred remains of government buildings and vehicles that were burned during the riots. The acrid smell of smoke still lingers in some neighborhoods, but traffic and daily life have started resuming. Businesses are cautiously reopening their doors, hoping the worst is over.
Nepalese authorities and tourism operators express guarded optimism that foreign visitors will start returning if stability endures. “We have to be very honest while communicating… if the situation is not good, the industry will never say ‘visit us’,” Tourism Board CEO Joshi noted, emphasizing that traveler safety remains the top priority. The coming weeks will be critical.
The government has announced a commission to investigate the unrest and address protesters’ grievances, aiming to prevent further flare-ups. National elections are set for March 5, 2026, which could be a source of uncertainty in the months ahead.
However, if the interim administration can maintain peace, tourism stakeholders are hopeful that trekkers and pilgrims might gradually regain confidence to return later in the season or next year.
Some intrepid visitors never left – a few foreign tourists who witnessed the protests firsthand told reporters they still felt safe during their stay, noting that the demonstrations were intense but targeted, and that locals were welcoming to outsiders. Such stories give hope that Nepal’s hard-earned reputation as a friendly, adventure-filled destination will endure once the political dust settles.
Why It Matters for Travelers
- Heightened Safety Risks: Travelers to Nepal currently face an unpredictable security situation. What began as peaceful demonstrations escalated into violent clashes with live ammunition, arson, and widespread unrest. The risk of being caught in civil disorder is significantly higher than usual, and foreign nationals could be at the wrong place at the wrong time if protests flare up again. Until the unrest is fully resolved, personal safety is a real concern for would-be visitors.
- Severe Travel Disruptions: The unrest has caused major disruptions to transport and services. During the peak of the protests, flights were grounded and airports closed, leaving travelers stranded. Curfews and roadblocks have made local travel within Nepal difficult, with limited public transport and periodic shutdowns of shops, banks, and restaurants. Popular trekking routes and tourist sites may also be inaccessible or closed on short notice. Those who do visit must be prepared for sudden changes to their itinerary and expect reduced services (e.g. fewer available tours or hotels).
- Booking and Insurance Challenges: Planning a Nepal trip amid this instability carries financial risks. Tour operators and hotels are experiencing mass cancellations, and future bookings remain uncertain. If you book now and the situation remains volatile, you may end up canceling your trip – potentially losing money if cancellation policies or travel insurance don’t cover civil unrest. Travel insurance usually will not compensate for trip cancellation or interruption due to known events like ongoing protests, unless your government officially advises against travel. At the moment, many governments urge caution but have not completely banned travel to Nepal , meaning standard insurance might not refund a voluntary cancellation. Until the situation stabilizes, travelers should think carefully before committing non-refundable funds, and those currently in Nepal should stay in close contact with their airlines, tour providers, and embassies for the latest updates. Postponing non-essential travel plans to Nepal is prudent until peace and normalcy fully return.
Nepal’s tourism collapse amid the deadly protests is a stark reminder of how quickly travel conditions can change.
For now, safety comes first – both for travelers and for the Nepalese people working hard to welcome them. Potential visitors should keep a close eye on Nepal travel advisories and news.
The Himalayas will still be there once stability is restored; the priority is to ensure that when tourists do return, they can experience Nepal’s beauty without fear.
Sources: Recent Reuters and AP news reports on the Nepal protests’ impact on tourism reuters.com; official travel advisories from the U.S. and UK governments travel.state.gov; and statements from local tour operators and authorities in Kathmandu reuters.com.