The recent anti-government demonstrations and violent incidents in Nepal have dealt a major blow to the nation’s tourism industry. The protests occurred at the outset of what is normally the peak tourist season. The tourism department and hotel owners report a 30% reduction in the number of tourists compared to the previous year. In the wake of the violence, a large number of bookings have been canceled.
In Kathmandu’s prominent tourist district of Thamel, shops, restaurants, and pubs have reopened, but the lack of visitors has resulted in an unsettling quiet. The anti-government violence resulted in 72 deaths and over 2,000 injuries. Nepal attracts roughly 1.2 million tourists annually, with tourism contributing 8% to the country’s GDP.