November 3: Mountaineering and expedition have to some extent revitalized the tourism industry, which has been reeling under the effects of Covid-19 lockdown and restrictions.

Government officials and entrepreneurs believe that the arrival of high-profile foreign delegates for climbing mountains has given a positive message to the tourism sector of Nepal.

Qatar’s prince Sheikh Mohammad Bin Abdullah

Qatar’s prince Sheikh Mohammad Bin Abdullah has already reached the base camp of Mt Ama Dablam to scale the 6,814-meter peak. A 14-member team of Prince Abdullah reached the base camp on Sunday (November 1).

The Department of Tourism informed that the expedition team of Prince Abdullah includes six climbers.

Meanwhile, a six-member Nepali team has also scaled Baruntse amid coronavirus pandemic. Likewise, two other expedition teams have received permission to scale 6151-meter high Gyalzen Peal and 7126-meter high Himlung.

Recently, the Royal Force team of Baharain’s prince Nasir Bin Hamid Al Khalifa successfully scaled 8163-meter high Manaslu.

According to the Department of Tourism, the government has granted permission to five expedition teams to climb mountain amid coronavirus crisis. The department informed that two out of the five teams have already completed their missions. The department has collected royalties of Rs 2.3 million for granting permission for the expedition teams to climb mountains.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai informed that the arrival of high-profile teams for scaling mountains amid coronavirus pandemic has given a message that Nepal is a safe destination for tourism.

“The visits of princes of Qatar and Baharain for mountain expeditions have given a clear message that Nepal is safe for visit during coronavirus crisis. Now, the government is preparing to open other sectors associated with the tourism industry,” said Minister Bhattarai.

General Secretary of Nepal Mountaineering Association Kul Bahadur Gurung believes that the arrival of tourists for climbing mountains at a time when tourists visiting Nepal has been almost nil gives a positive message.

Tourism entrepreneurs have urged the government to make arrangements for PCR tests for the tourists at the airport arguing that the provision for 6-day hotel quarantine for the visitors will only lead to a decline in number of tourists.