Kathmandu, February 27
With the outbreak of coronavirus showing no sign of abating, expedition operators in Nepal fear that the country would bear severe economic losses in the Everest climbing season that runs from March to May.
According to operators, many Chinese climbers have already started cancelling their expedition bookings after the outbreak of COVID-19 that has killed over 2,800 persons and spread in 42 countries.
Pasang Sherpa, managing director at Pioneer Adventure Treks, informed that seven Chinese members from his company dropped their plans to scale the world’s highest peak from Nepal side this spring season.
“Now, we can hardly expect climbers from China, Iran, South Korea, Japan and a few European countries, including Italy, among others,” Damber Parajuli, president of Expedition Operators Association Nepal, said.
No action plan
In addition, lack of government preparedness, as well as action plan, has had an adverse impact on the country’s tourism sector, Parajuli, who returned from Italy last evening without being screened at Tribhuvan International Airport, said. “Looking at the pathetic scene at the airport, I can only feel sorry about the airport authority and other agencies concerned,” he added.
Rishi Bhandari, managing director at Satori Adventure, said that Everest climbing season would certainly face a tough challenge if the government fails to introduce an immediate action plan to contain the COVID-19 threat.
“At least six Italian climbers who planned to scale Mt Everest from Tibet side have already cancelled their booking from my company,” he informed.
Sources said that China would not be opening its Tibet route in the spring season to allow Nepali operators for Mt Everest, Cho Oyu and Sishapangma expeditions.
“The country will certainly bear severe economic losses this season and it will have long term impact on the tourism businesses,” Parajuli opined.
Climbers in dilemma
Saying that Chinese tourists are an important source of income for Nepal, Dr Nima Namgyal Sherpa who operates exclusive Chinese expeditions through his company — Kaitu Expedition — demanded the
Read the full story on The Himalayan Times
The post Coronavirus fear rattles Everest climbing season appeared on Nepal123.com.
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