National 2 (Spotlight Weekly)

Serious Fallout

The reports like ‘Kathmandu Under siege’ and ‘Bread-bombing’ could have severe effect on the tourism sector

By SANJAYA DHAKAL

The spate of negative publicity that was spread particularly by the foreign media in the wake of Kathmandu-blockade imposed by the Maoists could have a severe effect on the tourism sector.

Worse, the negative publicity has come just on the eve of the major tourism season (September-March) resulting in cancellations of pre-scheduled trips and volley of inquiries.

Tourists : How safe do they feel?

According to Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) president Basanta Raj Mishra, 10 to 15 percent of the bookings have been cancelled followed by a huge number of inquiries related to Nepal situation by prospective visitors. He estimated that the damage could be worth US$ 4 to 5 million already.

Moreover, the slew of negative reports along with travel advisories by foreign embassies has compelled many visitors to turn away.

“The negative publicity that came in Indian media certainly would affect the visitors coming from that country,” said Hari Man Lama, chief executive of Incentive Tours and Sansui Treks. Almost one-third of tourists coming to Nepal are Indians. “We also have received cancellation of a number of groups who were to come here for trekking in September and October,” he added.

At an international press meet organized by the NATO in the wake of the negative publicity, tourism entrepreneurs called for a separate strategy to deal with the situation resulting from the travel advisories and negative publicity. The explosion of bomb in Hotel Soaltee did not help the matter.

The latest round of problem has come at a time when the tourism sector was poised to rebound after prolonged slowdown. In the first five months of the 2004, the tourist arrival had grown by impressive 42 percent. But the last one month saw it drop to 36 percent.

Tourism Minister Deep Kumar Upadhyaya has announced the formation of a ‘crisis management committee’ under his leadership to deal with the tourism-related problems.

Tek Bahadur Dangi, chief executive of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), adds that despite the conflict situation Nepal is still one of the safest destinations for tourists. In the last nine years of insurgency, not a single tourist has been physically targeted yet.

Tourism entrepreneurs have also expressed disappointment that the media while covering the Kathmandu-blockade failed to report that it did not apply to the tourists. The Maoists had said they would allow vehicles carrying tourists, among others, to ply safely even during blockade. Instead, the message that got out was that the city was virtually under siege with panic-stricken residents scurrying for basic necessities. One Indian media even reported that Indian officials were considering ‘bread-bombing’ the city – a fact that was later denied by the Indian embassy in Kathmandu.

Even the Charge d’Affaires of Indian Embassy in Kathmandu V.P. Haran conceded that the Indian media blew out of proportion the actual situation in Kathmandu during their recent reportage surrounding the ‘Kathmandu blockade by the Maoists.’ Speaking at the program organized by Tourism Ministry, NTB and NATO, Haran said that although the Embassy tried its best to convince the media representatives about the actual situation but in vain. “Since media is independent and free, we could do nothing over this issue,” he added.

“Apart from negative publicity by media, the government, too, failed to help the tourism sector. The government should have become more proactive to allay the misplaced fears,” said Lama.

The recent incidents are certain to have a dampening effect on the forthcoming tourist season. It could also affect in the golden jubilee celebration of the first successful ascent of Mount Cho Oyu in October to be organized by the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA).