Nepal Tourism Board

June 05, 2015 

PRESS RELEASE

On 25th April 2015 an earthquake struck the central region of Nepal in the Gorkha district just north of the main highway between Kathmandu and Pokhara.  The earthquake was followed by a number of severe aftershocks  and as a result, there were more than 8000 people found dead,  thousands more injured and it destroyed houses, trekking trails and monuments including centuries-old palaces and temples listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Despite damage to some of its historical and cultural monuments and trekking trails, Nepal is  now ready to welcome tourists. Some of the monuments in the  heritage sites will be reopen for tourists from June 15, 2015. Roads and air transport links remain intact across the country; the majority of hotels and restaurants are in operation.  Most trekking areas except Manaslu and Langtang have  not been damaged by the Earthquake and trekking can be undertaken any time in these areas.  Chitwan, Pokhara, Annapurna region and Bardia also escaped widespread damage, and are thus ready to showcase their abundance of natural life.  The birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini, did not suffer damage and is thankfully all set to welcome visitors back to its sacred soil.

There are many beautiful and captivating cultural and natural sites in the West, Mid-West, Far West and East Nepal  that await tourists to welcome there.  Out of 75 districts of Nepal, only 14 districts are damaged. Apart from Langtang, Manaslu and Gaurishankar,  other  14 national parks and conservation areas including Everest, Annapurna, Kanchanjunga areas withsood the earthquake with strength and power.

The Government of Nepal request international travelers to visit the magnificent and bustling country of Nepal, and support her by visiting it as she attempts to stand proudly on her feet once again. Walk the beautiful trails in the shadow of the most magnificent mountains on earth as you help the Nepalese people reset their course on the path to prosperity.  Nepal is now embarking upon the most fascinating period in all of its ancient history, and you could be right there to see it happen and your contribution will be a part of rebuilding new Nepal.

Tourism is one of the mainstays of the Nepalese economy, and Nepal will certainly need the income that tourism brings in as it attempts to recover from this disaster.