It is reported that around two dozen hotels have suffered major damage during the GenZ agitation. According to preliminary information from the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), the industry has incurred losses exceeding Rs 25bn. The Hilton Hotel in Kathmandu alone has sustained damage worth more than Rs 8bn.
The affected hotels include both domestic and international brands operating in the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Jhapa, Morang, Biratnagar, Dhangadhi, Mahottari, Dang Tulsipur, and other areas. Protesters reportedly vandalized, set fire to, and looted several hotel establishments.
As many of these hotels cannot resume operations without repairs and reconstruction, more than 2,000 workers have lost their jobs during the festive season. In addition, the disruptions have hindered hotels from meeting their financial obligations to banks and other financial institutions.
“In light of such large-scale investments and the damage to private-sector properties, including public limited companies, the matter must be investigated by a powerful and independent judicial committee at the earliest. To sustain investor confidence, it is essential to ensure proper compensation from the culprits and to provide a state-backed financial package for repairs and reconstruction,” HAN said in a statement. The association further emphasized the need to collectively move forward in tourism development to usher in a transformative new era of economic stability and prosperity.
Meanwhile, 202 tourists who were unable to return home due to the protests—and whose visas had expired—have now departed with extended visas. According to Immigration Department spokesperson Tikaram Dhakal, arrangements were made on Thursday at Tribhuvan International Airport to allow tourists whose visas expired after Sept 8 to leave the country with extended visas at no additional cost.
In addition, 248 tourists obtained emergency passports or transferred their visas to travel documents. Tourists who lost their passports for various reasons were able to return home after transferring their visas to travel documents issued by their respective embassies. The visa transfer fee is set at $2.
