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With Nepal having been devastated by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the country on 27th April, the nation’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has prepared Tourism Recovery Action Plan to put its tourism industry back on track.

Witch close to a million overseas visitors travelling to Nepal each year to view the country’s World Heritage sites, UNESCO monuments, countless Buddhist and Hindu temples and majestic mountains, tourism is a major contributor to Nepal’s country.

MoCTCA’s action plan, which has been submitted to Prime Minister Sushil Koirala for approval, includes immediate, mid-term and long term reconstruction, relief and package program for the recovery of tourism industry.

MoCTCA Secretary Suresh Man Shrestha said that the action plan has been prepared to rebuild and rehabilitate cultural heritage sites, tourist areas and trekking trails damaged by the earthquake of 25th April and subsequent aftershocks.

Shrestha said the government has plans for effective promotion of tourism products, which have not been affected by the earthquake, in the international market.

As per the recovery plan, MoCTCA plans to immediately rehabilitate around a dozen trekking trails as a priority, with trails including Dhunche-Gosaikunda-Helambu, Syafrubesi-Langtang-Kyanjin, Larke Pass-Chekampar, Tsum Valley, Kalinchowk-Bigu Gumba-Charikot, Gaurishankar and Lamabagar, Jiri-Khumbu, Annapurna Circuit, Dhaulagiri and Dhorpatan part of the program.

While well known trails in the Himalayan, Langtang, Manaslu and Ghorkha Region may be closed for several months, MoCTCA stress that despite the Avalanche below Mount Everest, the Everest trails is safe to trek, with little impact from the earthquake.

Shrestha commented “the famous Annapurna region has been untouched by the earthquake therefore you can consider planning your trip to the beautiful Pokhara city and even start trekking the Annapurna trails while enjoying the stunning views and breathtaking mountain ranges.

“Most regions are still safe to trek including the Mustang and Dolpa trails, therefore you can consider trekking in these regions in coming days and enjoy your trekking holidays.

“Nepal tourism contributes 10% of GDP and provides jobs to many people of Nepal, who are fully depended on the regular inflow of the tourist.

“The only way you can support Nepal is to go on vacation and spend your much needed money, which will help sustain many lives of those affected by the devastating earthquake.”

1st May 2015 - CULTURAL LOSSES ADD TO HUMAN TOLL IN THE WAKE OF NEPAL EARTHQUAKE

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