Nepal’s tourism sector has hit rock bottom this year due to the COVID-19 crisis, and it will take at least five years to fully recover, according to hotel owners, airline executives and trekking agencies.

Taking part in a webinar on Monday, they said most companies are facing collapse, and even if visitor numbers started picking up next year the industry will have to confront new realities in global travel, with major changes in customer concerns and preferences.

“The age of mass tourism is gone,” said Prachanda Man Shrestha, former CEO of Nepal Tourism Board. “Tourists will now prefer niche products with specific personalised preferences. And Nepal’s promotional activities have to adapt accordingly.”

https://www.nepalitimes.com/latest/nepal-tourism-may-take-5-years-to-recover/