Kathmandu, Feb. 14 -- While Nepal's tourism numbers have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, domestic incompetence and regional geopolitics are holding back numbers for the coming year.
International media coverage of frequent aviation and highway disasters in 2024 also dampened arrivals, and not much was done to restore confidence in neighbouring China and India as well as make Nepal's presence felt in international travel marts.
The Indian pilgrim bus that killed 27 on the Pokhara-Kathmandu route, or the helicopter crash in which four Chinese nationals died, both in August, led to cancellations.
The reality is that Nepal sells itself because of its unique attractions: the world's highest mountains, adventure sports, cultural heritage....