Pokhara–Nepal is also not out of the bad effect of Covid-19 pandemic. As the virus reportedly was first seen in China last December, Nepal’s tourism sector was enjoying its regular days. But, the situation didn’t remain the same. Nepal’s imposed 120-day long lockdown following the finding of two coronavirus cases.
That hit Nepalis’ life badly and tourism came up with the most affected sector of Nepal following the reporting of virus and lockdown. It has been more than 8.5 months; Nepal’s tourism sector is still like under lockdown. Pokhara, Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini, Ilam and Karnali are Nepal’s popular tourism destination but they have no tourist these days.
Some hotels and restaurants resumed their service on July 15, 2020 as the government lifted nationwide long lockdown on July 21, 2020 but very few numbers of hotels and restaurants offered services. It is because there were no tourists and customers. They even failed to gain operation cost. So, they again automatically shot down the gate. Yet again, the local governments have imposed prohibitory orders in dozens of districts as the pandemic took its way up.
So, the future of Nepal’s tourism is uncertain because of the Covid-19 pandemic. If the pandemic comes to end, it will take months for tourism to reach the former regular stage. Knowing that, many tourism entrepreneurs are now getting frustrated. It is because Nepal’s hotels have a huge amount of bank loan. They are unable to pay even the interest of that loan as their income is almost zero since starting of lockdown in Nepal.
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