Nepal, Sept. 9 -- Nepal's hospitality industry was gradually picking up pace after last year's deadly Gen Z protests, which sent a strong message of insecurity. Nearly a year later, the devastating floods of August 26 delivered another shock. With hundreds of tourists, mainly pilgrims travelling to Kailash Mansarovar, from over two dozen countries missing, a number of reports have indicated massive hotel booking cancellations.

Breaking from the growth in tourist arrivals seen in most months of the year, Nepal recorded a 3.65 percent decline in foreign visitors to 85,444 in August. The repercussions are being felt in September and are likely to persist in the coming months. A decline in tourist arrivals in September, October and November ...