Tourist Arrivals Plunge in Nepal After Gen Z Protests

Tourist arrivals to Nepal have plummeted in the wake of the Gen Z protest. Data from the Nepal Tourism Board shows that average daily arrivals fell from 3,181 before the unrest to just 1,365 after September 8. Overall, the country welcomed 33,638 tourists in the first half of September.

The unrest has also prompted international travel warnings. Countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, India, and Australia have issued advisories, affecting travelers’ perceptions and making them increasingly hesitant to visit Nepal.

September to December marks Nepal’s peak tourist season. With trekking, tours, adventure travel, and other activities largely on hold, hotel occupancy has dropped to around 30 percent, according to industry operators.

The impact of the Gen Z movement is being felt across the hotel sector. The Hotel Association of Nepal confirmed that tourists have started canceling bookings due to unsafe conditions. Reservations at properties ranging from small lodges to star-rated hotels for September and October have been canceled in large numbers.

The unrest hit the country’s tourism industry at its most crucial time. Foreign chain hotels were directly targeted, including Hilton and Aloft in Kathmandu, as well as several leading properties in Pokhara, leaving them temporarily inoperable.

Nepal typically receives around 38 percent of its total international tourists during the peak season from September to December. In 2024, the country welcomed 1.147 million tourists, of whom 37.2 percent—equivalent to 427,222 visitors—arrived during these crucial four months.

In the aftermath of the protests and destruction, Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific canceled flights to Nepal for 15 days, citing reduced passenger numbers and recent unrest as key reasons, notifying the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal accordingly.

While Nepal remains a popular destination, foreign governments warn that ongoing unrest makes routine travel unsafe, casting a shadow over the country’s tourism sector during its most critical season.

Industry stakeholders are now working to minimize the damage caused by the Gen Z protest. Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) President Binayak Shah said coordinated efforts are underway to reduce disruptions. “All tourism stakeholders, particularly HAN, NTB, and NATTA, are working tirelessly to curb cancellations. The challenge now is to restore the confidence of larger groups who follow strict protocols. We are sending a positive message that Nepal is safe and travel is proceeding smoothly,” Shah said.

The PATA Nepal Chapter has recently launched a survey to assess the impact of recent events and gather data to guide recovery efforts.

As the industry gears up for World Tourism Day on September 27, stakeholders aim to send a strong signal of resilience, reassuring both investors and travelers that Nepal remains a safe and welcoming destination.