LETTERS (Spotlight Weekly)

Troubled Tourism

The continuing deterioration in the law-and-order situation has hit Nepal’s vital tourism industry ("Down But Not Out", SPOTLIGHT, July 6). Incidents of tragic proportions have been visiting the country in eerily regular intervals. Definitely, tourists will think twice before landing in Kathmandu. Above everything else, they will consider the security situation. As things stand, the future of tourism appears very shaky unless some sense of normalcy is restored urgently.

Hari Rai
Thapathali

Spillover Effect

If the tourism sector collapses, it will have a spillover effect on most sectors of Nepalese society ("Down But Not Out", SPOTLIGHT, July 6). From hotels to travel traders, from restaurateurs to curio shop-owners and from street sellers to farmers, everybody will be affected. Thousands of jobs could be lost, which, in turn, could trigger an economic meltdown. On the top of the current political unrest, an economic slowdown would create great stress to the Nepalese people. This dangerous situation must be brought under control before it becomes unmanageable.

Jeetendra Karki
Minbhawan

Positive Tone

In the midst of the current race to feed pessimistic and depressing news, your cover story on tourism prospects ("Down But Not Out", SPOTLIGHT, July 6) came as a breath of fresh air. Strikes do happen in other parts of the world, people are also killed there, insurgency is growing in many places, but that does not mean that those countries have closed shop as far as tourism is concerned. Tourists are regularly kidnapped in Philippines, violence is raging in Indonesia, but the death knell has not been sounded for the tourism in Manila or Bali. So, why are we talking so loud about the death of our tourism? Things will clear one day and there will be business as usual.

Kamal Narayan Shrestha
Hattisar

Trying Times

Tourism is passing through one of the toughest times in its history ("Down But Not Out", SPOTLIGHT, July 6). After the sector was opened in 1960s, it has registered gradual growth contributing more and more to the national economy. With so much natural beauty to boast of and cultural identity to cherish, Nepal will never lack international visitors — only if we can keep our house in order. Hopefully, the current spate of violence and tragedy will subside soon enough and the faltering industry will take a new direction.

Sanjeeb Rana
Sanepa

Damage Control

In the aftermath of the unprecedented tragedy at the royal palace, the country’s tourism has been scarred ("Down But Not Out", SPOTLIGHT, July 6). To rescue the industry, all responsible sectors will have to play their part in a massive damage-control exercise, which is the need of the hour. The Nepal Tourism Board should not be made to shoulder this burden alone. All concerned organisations and individuals, including travel trade operators, the media and the people, have to do their best to improve the country’s image abroad. Only then can the tourism sector hope to stand straight as before.

Nisha Khanal
Dhobidhara

Rising Radicalism

Since the restoration of democracy in 1990, Nepal’s traditional political forces have been replaced by more radical groups one after another. Be it the Maoists or other communist forces, the rise of radical ideology will have a lasting impact on Nepal’s security situation. It is unfortunate that the fall of Nepal’s traditional forces is creating havoc on the security of our southern neighbour. First the panchas were wiped out in 1990, then the Nepali Congress has been gradually weakened. Following the unfortunate massacre of royal family members, Nepal has lost another traditional pillar based on Hindu faith. If Nepal’s traditional forces are weakened in such a systematic manner, the very basic foundation on which India can rely will suffer. All kinds of radical ideas in Nepal enter through India but Nepal’s bloodbath will ultimately spill over to the south, as the north is geographically in a more advantageous position. Is anybody reading the writing on the wall?

Shree Ram Tiwari
Washington D.C, USA
Via-email

Spoilsport

By refusing to grant visas to the original members of Nepalese cricket team, the Canadian High Commission has sealed what remained of the country’s chances to participate in World Cup cricket ("Unsportive Snub", SPOTLIGHT, June 29). In the absence of the skipper and three other strong players, the team was disabled from the beginning. Although it is unclear what prompted the Canadian High Commission to pick those four strong players for visa rejection, the move is certain to affect the team’s morale as well as its ability.

Bijaya KC
Baluwatar