“Every visit helps”: Flood-hit Nepal urges tourists to keep coming
Photo: Unsplash/Ghana Shyam Khadka
Nepal on Tuesday urged foreign travellers not to cancel their visits after catastrophic floods killed more than 1,000 people, insisting that much of the Himalayan country remains open and ready to receive visitors.
The appeal is trying to stop the natural disaster from unleashing a second crisis: the loss of tourism income that hotels, guides, restaurants and mountain communities will need during the recovery.
«Nepal is not closed,» the Nepal Tourism Board said as it launched its «Nepal Calling» campaign on 1 September. «This is a time to visit Nepal. Nepal is calling.»
Tourism Minister Khadak Raj Paudel reinforced that message in a video shared online. «Our mountain trails and trekking routes are still waiting for you,» he said in a video statement posted on social media.
NEPAL IS CALLING🇳🇵
— Nepal Tourism Board (@nepaltourismb) September 1, 2026
In an appeal to friends of Nepal, Honourable Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Khadak Raj Paudel 'Ganess'has called upon travellers to continue visiting Nepal and to stand with the country during this time.
Come and explore the hidden side of Nepal. pic.twitter.com/1DMOwLPcUU
Nepal remains open – but not everywhere
The government’s appeal comes as rescue teams continue to search the northern border region, which was devastated by floods, mud, ice and rock on 26 August.
Nepal’s Foreign Ministry reported that by 1 September, rescue teams had recovered 1,010 bodies. Around 4,000 people remained missing, while more than 11,800 had been rescued.
Nearly 590 foreign nationals from 39 countries were still unaccounted for. More than 21,000 police officers, soldiers and other security personnel were taking part in the response.
Read more: Nepal flood death toll hits 626 as over 2,400 remain missing.
The Tourism Board acknowledged the extent of the disaster but said much of Nepal was still functioning normally. It has set up a tourist information desk and a rapid response team working with government agencies, tourist police and travel companies.
The campaign does not indicate that all roads and trekking routes are open. Visitors travelling in the vicinity of affected areas should check current conditions with their tour operator and official authorities before setting out.
What tourists should check before travelling
Travellers need not scrap plans to visit Nepal, especially if their destination is far from the flood zone. However, they should check transport, accommodation and route conditions immediately before departure.
Read more: Stray Kids’ Lee Know donates 100mn won to Nepal flood relief.
The Tourism Board recommends registered travel and trekking agencies for visitors. Overseas visitors can reach Nepal’s Tourist Police on the toll-free number 1144, and they should report police emergencies on 100.
Overseas visitors should also check their government’s latest travel advice and not go into closed or damaged areas just because other parts of Nepal are still open.
