With the view to promote Nepali tourism post earthquake disaster, British Ambassador to Nepal John Rankin and head of Department of International Development (DFID) Gail Marzetti embarked trek in the Annapurna Region and posted themselves holding a placard saying ‘I AM IN NEPAL NOW’ to promote Nepals tourism. This trek was organized to encourage foreign tourist to visit Nepal again. They also posted a video message from Dhampus saying that though some areas are still unsafe but such is not the case in most parts of the country and open for travel. “It is very important for the economic recovery of this country that tourism should revive. So stay safe and come and enjoy Nepal,” he said.
Marzetti said in the video message that she is trekking in Nepal and though the morning not has been great, and misty cloud is covering the great Annapurna range. But thing will be great in September. She requested to come to Nepal for two reasons – one is to have the holiday of a lifetime. And the second is to support the Nepal recover after the earthquake. She also further mentioned that UK Aid, an international INGO, is supporting people with their home stays, their businesses and their jobs in the remote areas. The country’s tourism was badly hit due to the 25th April earthquake and later aftershocks that followed, and some of the major tourist destinations suffered damages. The government estimated losing 40 percent of the tourists and about more than 70 percent for the upcoming season due to trip cancellation.
Similar social media campaign was also organized about a month ago by a Nepali Group in order to encourage the tourists. Hundreds of tourist have also participated and shared a placard saying I am in Nepal Now and I am going to Nepal. Almost all countries had issued travel advisory to their citizens not to travel to Nepal after immediate aftermath of the quake. Though three countries US, UK and New Zealand have lifted their restrictions on traveling to Nepal except for the locations badly hit by the earthquake. In these times, the trek by the high profile dignitaries will certainly bring a positive change and send good message to anyone planning their upcoming travel to this Himalayan Kingdom.
