Nepal takes first step to regain tourists by reopening World Heritage sites

A tourist takes photos at the UNESCO Heritage site of Hanumandhoka Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, June 16, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

The government has been claiming that there are many reasons to visit Nepal as airports are fine, flights are on time, more than 90 percent of hotels are safe, major highways are operational and there are a lot of places for tourists to visit.

But, the number of tourists visiting Nepal for pleasure or adventure continues to be flat. Two Swedish tourists who are employees by Turkish Airlines were found roaming and clicking pictures in Patan durbar square this afternoon.

"We just landed in Kathmandu four hours ago and came straight here. We could not see many differences because people are happy here all the time. We like this part of Nepal and its people,"they shared with Xinhua.

As per the statistics provided by the Immigration Department, there were 69,286 tourists in Nepal in May, 2014 whereas the number lessened to 40,856 in May, 2015.

These foreigners visited Nepal even after the earthquake but only for search, rescue, relief and research purposes.

Tourism is one of the pillars of the economy of Nepal but it is the worst-hit sector with an economic loss of Rs 81.24 billion ($790 million). It is also one of the largest employment generating industries in Nepal which collects a sizable portion of revenue for the government. Mountain climbing and trekking is the most profitable tourism sector.

CN Pandey, a travel and tour operator and owner of the Landmark Hotel told Xinhua, "I am hopeful that it will take around four months for the initial recovery and around a year to bring the full business back on track. But there must be strong marketing plans and promotional strategies to bring the tourists back."

The hotel entrepreneurs are of the view that they also need some assistance from the government like soft loans for rebuilding and operation and lessening of bank interest rates to reduce the financial burden.

According to the government's post disaster needs assessment (PDNA) report this sector requires Rs 41.33 billion ($400) for reconstruction and rebuilding.

The government on Sunday has also formed a high-level national recovery committee to promote tourism activities in the post-quake era under the leadership of the tourism minister.