12/06/2015
Main Sightseeing spots are still safe:
Main Trekking Routes Are Still safe:
Annapurna region is one of the most famous for trekking. There are dozen more routes like Annapurna circuit, Annapurna Basecamp etc. in this region. 60% of tourists visit this region often.
20% of tourists coming to Nepal visit Khumbu region ad rest of 20% go to routes like Langtang, Manaslu, Gaurishankhar, Dhaulagiri etc.
The devastating earthquake has not of Annapurna and Khumbu trekking route. There are many trekking routes in mid and Far-Western developmental region which are still unaffected by the quake.
Earthquake has affected routes like Langtang, Manaslu, Gaurishankhar, Dhaulagiri etc. where only limited number of tourists reach. Main trekking routes are still in condition so entrepreneurs say trekking is still alive in Nepal.
Tourism expert Prachanda Man Shrestha said, “There are still many places in Nepal which is safe for trekking. Affected parts can be re-constructed and restarted within a month.”
There are rumors in international media that after the earthquake most of the destinations and trekking routes of Nepal are now not safe. These rumors should be replaced by the positive advertisement in international media about Nepal and tourism here. For this government and private sectors should work hand in hand.
Mr. Shrestha has once been chief of Tourism board and he says, there isn’t as much destruction done as there is news in Medias. He said, “Roads aren’t much affected by the landslide as much as villages are. Villages are the center of attraction in any trekking routes. But to rebuild village within so time is almost impossible.”
There are beautiful hills and Himalayas in Nepal. Tourists get unforgettable experience in trekking. Most of the tourist who come to visit Nepal place their first interest in trekking.
As per the Chairman of Pacific Asia Travel Agents (PATA) Mr. Suman Pandey, this season is very unlucky for Nepal tourism due to the devastating earthquake. This was the season for trekking. There are almost zero tourists who come to visit Nepal after the earthquake. This year’s season was going to be started from the September but it seems as though tourism will be affected up to next season.
He added that, “There is not much effect seen in trekking routes but due to false rumors about these places tourists are scared to come. We have to flourish positive news so that again Nepal tourism can rise up.”
Trekking routes are not human made. They are simply routes made by the local people there for their day to day works. So if one is closed another can be made easily. There are many safe destinations for tourists if they are scared to go in quake affected areas.
Homestay and lodge are destructed but the natural view from there are still alive. We can develop tent camp there. After tent camp only the concept of village and lodge based trekking is developed. Said tourism expert Mr. Shrestha.
BAD RUMORS IN INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Although there is not much affect done by the earthquake in Nepal, some of the courtiers introduced ‘Travel Advisory’ so tourists are got scared to visit Nepal.
Manager of Makalu Adventures Mr. Mohan Lamsal said, “UK, the third market of Nepal has introduced travel advisory. Tourists think there will be no insurance in this condition so they get scared. Although trekking routes are safe due to the rumors tourist have stopped visiting Nepal. In some countries there are rumors like Tribhuwan Airport is no more.”
MANY SAFE DESTINATIONS ARE STILL THERE
According to chief of Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) Mr. GR Panta, there are more than hundred trekking routes in Nepal. Trekking routes that are destroyed now are the one that were developed some time ago.
Places in mid and Far western development regions like Dolpa, Rara of Mugu, Badimalika, Khaptad, Rolpa/Rukum are known are center and capital of natural beauty. We can develop gurilla treking in these areas. TAAN has discovered more than three dozens of trekking routes and now they want to develop it and increase number of tourists. Said Mr. Panta.
Langtang is a place near from capital city Kathmandu. This place is also famous for trekking. Manaslu area is also now opened for tourists after a long time.
“There is some minor effect in restaurants and lodges of Annapurna and Khumbu reigion,” Panta said, “We can guarantee a safe trek for tourists if they come to visit Nepal.”
According to tourism Entrepreneur Krishna Aryal, Trekking is itself adventurous and dangerous. While trekking in mountain ranges and high hills trekkers may have problem in any time. For this government should deploy emergency rescue teams if any problem arises. There are rescue teams with modern facilities in other countries. There is no place where natural calamity will not occur but emergency rescue is the most important. Nepal government should also develop such modern rescue teams.
GOVERNMENTAL EFFORT
Nepal government too is giving its best for the fast recovery of tourism. Tourism Recovery Committee which was developed for fast recovery of tourism has given responsibility of collecting data about trekking route to TAAN.
Tourism council has purposed plan of making tourism villages in five most affected districts in National Planning Commission. For infrastructure development of this project a sum of 6 crores is estimated.
10 crores for the reconstruction of the Great Himalayan trail, and 2 corers for reconstruction of hotels, restaurants, Tea-Coffee house in Manaslu, Langtang, Helambu, Cho-Ropla etc is also proposed by the government.
