Bhubaneswar: The devastating floods that have battered Nepal have cast a shadow over the country’s tourism sector, with travel agencies in Bhubaneswar reporting a surge in cancellations and postponements by tourists who had planned visits during the upcoming festive season.Popular among Odisha travellers for its scenic mountains, temples and adventure tourism, Nepal has long been a preferred international destination owing to its proximity and affordable travel options. However, images of flooded towns, damaged roads and disrupted infrastructure have prompted many tourists to put their travel plans on hold. “We had booked a family trip to Kathmandu and Pokhara for Durga Puja holidays. After seeing the news reports, we decided to postpone the trip. Safety is our biggest concern at this moment,” said Sasmita Dash, a resident of Saheed Nagar.Travel operators said enquiries for Nepal packages have dropped recently. Some customers are seeking refunds, while others are opting to shift their bookings to domestic destinations. “We have received several requests for cancellations and rescheduling. People are worried about road connectivity, weather conditions and the availability of tourism services. The festive season is usually a busy period for Nepal-bound travellers from Odisha, but the disaster has dampened demand,” said Sanjay Mohanty, a city-based tour operator.Adventure enthusiasts are among those reconsidering their plans. Trekking routes and mountain tourism activities are likely to witness reduced footfall until normalcy returns, industry insiders said. “A group of friends and I were planning a trekking trip in Nepal next month. We have deferred it indefinitely because many areas may still be recovering from the floods,” said Amit Nayak, an engineering professional.Tourism stakeholders expressed concern that the disaster could affect Nepal’s tourism-dependent economy, which attracts thousands of Indian visitors every year. “Tourism is a major source of livelihood for many people in Nepal. While travellers are naturally cautious, we hope the situation improves quickly so that the sector can recover,” said Priyadarshini Behera, who runs an online travel consultancy.Despite the current setback, travel operators remain optimistic about a gradual revival once rescue and rehabilitation work gains momentum. “Nepal remains one of the most sought-after destinations for Indian tourists. Cancellations are largely driven by immediate concerns. We expect bookings to pick up again once authorities declare major tourist circuits safe and operational,” said Mohanty.
