On September 8 and 9, the air was thick with tear gas and tension all across the nation, yet between the chants of defiance and smoke curling above the streets, something quietly resilient pulsed underneath: the will to keep the country’s most beloved industry alive.
During one of the marches, protesters briefly stopped to let a blue tourist bus pass through. The visitors inside waved, and demonstrators waved back. The moment was small but telling—even in turmoil, Nepal’s instinct for hospitality persists.
A British travel vlogger, Harry, known online as WeHateTheCold, filmed the protests in real time. His video, titled “The Side of Nepal, the Media Won’t Show You”, captured the scene from a foreigner’s perspective. Protesters warned him to stay safe, urging him to move away from the clashes. “Your safety is our concern,” one said. Another handed him a bottle of water.
Later, in a striking contrast, Harry was invited to join a local hiking club. His vlog became an unexpected reflection of Nepali youth—fierce in their dissent yet deeply protective of guests, frustrated at the system but unwavering in kindness.
His footage went viral, with viewers praising Nepali youth for their empathy in chaos. The comments reflected a broader sentiment — admiration for how the country manages to balance defiance with warmth.
Tourism in Transition
Nepal’s tourism industry has long been tested by crisis. The 2015 earthquake flattened heritage sites and trekking trails, bringing the country’s visitor economy to its knees. Then came the pandemic, which froze global mobility altogether. Yet by 2023, Nepal had managed to welcome nearly one million visitors again—a slow but steady revival that symbolised both endurance and hope.
The Gen Z–led protests have added a new chapter to this story of turbulence. Unlike violent uprisings elsewhere, Nepal’s unrest has been targeted and contained, aimed squarely at government corruption and institutional failure. Foreigners have remained observers, even guests, during it all. The fact that demonstrators cleared a path for a tourist bus through a blockade says much about the country’s understanding that tourism is more than revenue—it’s identity, pride, and connection to the world.
Tourism is the fourth largest industry here, in terms of employment, providing 11.5% of the jobs. For the young generation driving these movements, tourism represents more than just jobs; it is access to opportunity, language, and culture beyond borders. It’s a form of soft diplomacy—a chance to show the world that Nepal, though scarred by politics, still holds its soul intact.
Political Reset and Public Confidence
The resignation of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the appointment of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim leader have thrown the nation into another political transition. For the travel sector, the central question now is not whether Nepal remains welcoming — it does — but whether the government can guarantee stability, consistency, and trust.
The state’s response to the protests has raised difficult questions. Over 13,000 rounds were fired within two days, and forensic evidence confirmed that live ammunition was used on demonstrators. The government’s challenge now is to restore international confidence: to ensure that such force will never again endanger civilians or spill into tourist areas.
Equally damaging was the temporary social media ban imposed during the height of unrest. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are not mere distractions; they are Nepal’s lifeline for storytelling and marketing. The travel economy today runs on digital perception, and silencing those platforms risks severing a crucial link between Nepal and global travellers.
As if to underline the fragile state of the nation, the rains soon followed. The October 3 downpour and late monsoon floods left trails cut off, roads submerged, and hillside villages stranded. Helicopters that had once abandoned flood victims in favour of rescuing political elites have deepened public mistrust. Footage of ambulances used to transport politicians instead of the wounded only worsened the image. In a nation trying to court travellers back, such scenes threaten more than morale — they undermine credibility.
The Official Response
The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), working with the Nepal Army, Tribhuvan International Airport, and the Department of Immigration, coordinated a temporary shuttle bus service to ensure safe transit to and from the airport during the protests.
“Nepal is now safe, peaceful, and ready to host visitors from around the world,” the NTB said in a recent statement.
In another release, the Board highlighted the industry’s history of resilience: “Despite past crises, including natural disasters and political changes, Nepal’s tourism industry has consistently bounced back, showcasing the enduring spirit of its people, the support of the international tourism fraternity, and the timeless allure of its landscapes and heritage.”
Still, authorities have cautioned that travel mobility may remain limited in certain areas due to landslides and road damage from recent rains.
Perception and Reality
Tourism, in many ways, depends as much on perception as on reality. Harry’s viral vlog offered a different image of Nepal—one where protesters looked out for foreigners even amid confrontation. It contrasted sharply with typical headlines of unrest, offering a more nuanced picture of the country.
If travellers continue to believe they are welcome and safe, arrivals may not fall significantly. Nepal’s protests, though politically charged, have so far remained disciplined compared to movements elsewhere in the region.
As the autumn trekking season begins, the tourism industry now stands at a delicate point. Much depends on how the interim government handles stability, communication, and disaster response in the weeks ahead.
Even in revolt, they are hosts. Even in transition, they are inviting the world in. And perhaps that — more than any marketing slogan — is what will define the next era of travel in Nepal.
Sudipa Mahato is a junior editor with Nepal Connect.
