Most foreign tourists stranded in Nepal have returned home: Nepal Tourism Board
CGTN

The majority of the over 1,000 foreign tourists stranded in different parts of Nepal after the Nepali government imposed nationwide lockdown last Tuesday have already left for their home countries after they were evacuated to the capital Kathmandu, the Nepal Tourism Board said Sunday.

Many foreign tourists who were visiting different parts of Nepal for trekking and tour activities were stranded after both domestic and international flights were suspended and surface travels were also suspended to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic.

During the last three days they were evacuated to capital Kathmandu and "most of the rescued foreigners have already departed for their home countries on chartered flights of Qatar Airways," Devendra K.C, general manager of Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, said on Sunday.

"Over 900 foreigners were repatriated on three separate chartered planes of Qatar Airways on Friday and Saturday."

A screenshot of Nepal Tourism Board's tweet on March 30.

A screenshot of Nepal Tourism Board's tweet on March 30.

The Tourism Board said that there are still a few foreigners stuck at Lukla, who will be brought to Kathmandu on Monday.

"Due to bad weather, three planned chartered flights could not take place to Lukla on Sunday," according to Nandini Lahe Thapa, senior director at the board.

Since the Nepali government imposed lockdown, embassies of various countries had sent request to the Nepali government seeking approval for their rescue plans on different chartered planes.

Nepali travel trade entrepreneurs have created a new online platform where foreign tourists have been asked to notify about themselves to remain in touch with the tourism entrepreneurs and the embassies of concerned countries.

Read more: Tourists stranded in Asia due to canceled flights, shut borders

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency