Flood-hit Nepal urges tourists to return: ‘our mountain trails are waiting for you’

Nepal urged international travellers not to abandon the Himalayas, declaring the country open for tourism as it continues to assess the human and economic toll from catastrophic floods that killed hundreds and left thousands missing.

“Our mountain trails, trekking routes are still waiting for you,” Tourism Minister Khadak Raj Paudel said in a video message on social media, using the hashtag #NepalCalling. “Your coming to Nepal this time does not mean only a holiday. It’s a big support to the country fighting this catastrophic tragedy of flash flood.”

The plea comes as harrowing images of destroyed villages, roads and bridges – and reports of deaths following last week’s floods – threaten to deter tourists even from parts of Nepal largely untouched by the disaster.

One of Asia’s poorest economies, Nepal faces a daunting reconstruction effort as higher fuel costs from the Iran war, weaker tourism and slowing growth weigh on the economy.

The disaster has compounded the challenges facing the nation’s 36-year-old Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who rose to power this year on a wave of Gen Z disaffection.

The disaster was triggered last week by a glacial collapse that sent ice, mud, rocks and water surging through a valley in Nepal, wiping out entire settlements in its path. Videos showed people running for their lives as walls of water and debris swallowed buildings, tore down bridges and power lines, and washed away trees, boulders and vehicles.

So far, about 590 foreigners from 39 countries remain missing, according to figures from Nepal’s foreign ministry.