A recurring question, perhaps fueled by poor journalism or by
out-of-date advice from Governments, is 'Is it safe to travel in Nepal
?'
The Nepalese accept that tourism is a mainstay of the economy, and are very welcoming. This applies to all sections and political groups: even during the Maoist hostilities of the early 21st century there were very few cases of any hostility towards visitors and the Maoist-led government has declared 2011 to be 'Visit Nepal Year'.
The following statistics (from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office) are interesting: whilst obviously there are greater numbers of UK visitors to New Zealand and to the USA than to Nepal, they nonetheless suggest that Nepal is a safe destination.
NEW ZEALAND
76 British nationals required consular assistance in New Zealand in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (23 cases); hospitalisations (9 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (24 cases).
USA
1,972 British nationals required consular assistance in the USA in period 01 April 2008 - 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident: deaths (152 cases); hospitalisations (123 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (1,534). The majority of cases occur in New York City; the tourist areas in Florida (principally Orlando and Miami); and Los Angeles and San Francisco. You should be alert to the dangers of car and street crime in cities.
NEPAL
18 British nationals required consular assistance in Nepal in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (3 cases); hospitalisations (1 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (20 cases).
Dawa Sherpa, from Khumjung, adds
"As a resident of Nepal the following is the real situation.
The visitor to Nepal can be advised that Nepal is safe for travel. Some news media suggest that this is not so, but that reflects a distorted, paranoid view of Nepal.
Welcome to Nepal to celebrate Nepal Tourism year 2011"
Rhythm D adds:
Although there are few cases of deaths and crimes of tourists the government and local authorities of Nepal are trying every effort to make the Nepal safer for tourists from all over the world. In July, 2012, the government has banned trekking in Nepal without Nepali staffs for the safety and security of tourists, due to a couple of recent cases of tourists missing, and in one case being found dead. This new move by the Government of Nepal is aimed to make trekkers safer.
Update September 2012
The Nepali government has not banned trekking by individuals without a guide. This was a hoax created by TAAN. Currently all trekkers are free to go independently, no guide is required.
The Nepalese accept that tourism is a mainstay of the economy, and are very welcoming. This applies to all sections and political groups: even during the Maoist hostilities of the early 21st century there were very few cases of any hostility towards visitors and the Maoist-led government has declared 2011 to be 'Visit Nepal Year'.
The following statistics (from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office) are interesting: whilst obviously there are greater numbers of UK visitors to New Zealand and to the USA than to Nepal, they nonetheless suggest that Nepal is a safe destination.
NEW ZEALAND
76 British nationals required consular assistance in New Zealand in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (23 cases); hospitalisations (9 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (24 cases).
USA
1,972 British nationals required consular assistance in the USA in period 01 April 2008 - 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident: deaths (152 cases); hospitalisations (123 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (1,534). The majority of cases occur in New York City; the tourist areas in Florida (principally Orlando and Miami); and Los Angeles and San Francisco. You should be alert to the dangers of car and street crime in cities.
NEPAL
18 British nationals required consular assistance in Nepal in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (3 cases); hospitalisations (1 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (20 cases).
Dawa Sherpa, from Khumjung, adds
"As a resident of Nepal the following is the real situation.
The visitor to Nepal can be advised that Nepal is safe for travel. Some news media suggest that this is not so, but that reflects a distorted, paranoid view of Nepal.
Welcome to Nepal to celebrate Nepal Tourism year 2011"
Rhythm D adds:
Although there are few cases of deaths and crimes of tourists the government and local authorities of Nepal are trying every effort to make the Nepal safer for tourists from all over the world. In July, 2012, the government has banned trekking in Nepal without Nepali staffs for the safety and security of tourists, due to a couple of recent cases of tourists missing, and in one case being found dead. This new move by the Government of Nepal is aimed to make trekkers safer.
Update September 2012
The Nepali government has not banned trekking by individuals without a guide. This was a hoax created by TAAN. Currently all trekkers are free to go independently, no guide is required.
