US, UK, others issue travel alerts-Ask citizens travelling to Nepal to be cautious amid CA polls

Countries including the US, the UK, Australia and Canada have issued travel alert to its citizens traveling to or living in Nepal to exercise high degree of caution amid the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) election. The CA election is scheduled for November 19.

The US Department of State, after almost two years, updated its travel alerts on Nepal on Nov 1. The new advisory will expire on Dec 19, according to the department. The department has said there is an increased risk of violence during bandas as well as at rallies and demonstrations and the possibility of spontaneous protests during this and any election cycle remains.

“Although most of the major political parties in Nepal are in agreement regarding the upcoming elections, some parties have declined to participate, and have indicated that they may seek to disrupt the election process,” according to the department’s website. It has asked its citizens to enroll in the department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which provides latest security updates.

In Dec 2011, the department had removed Nepal from its negative travel advisory, citing improved political conditions. The US is the fourth largest tourist source market to Nepal. A total of 48,985 Americans visited Nepal last year.

Meanwhile, the UK updated its travel advisory on Nov 1, which says: “The political situation in Nepal is changeable. There are frequent bandhs (shutdowns), rallies and demonstrations, which can be violent and cause widespread disruption.” Nepal received 41,294 British visitors in 2012.

In its travel alert updated on Oct 29, Canada has asked its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution while traveling to Nepal. “There is no nationwide advisory in effect for Nepal. However, you should exercise a high degree of caution due to the fragile and volatile political and security situation,” according to the travel advisory.

Australia, which issued a travel advice on August 21 under Health (avian influenza), has continued to advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Nepal due to the uncertain political and security situation. “In the lead-up to elections, demonstrations and strikes are likely to occur with increasing frequency. If a demonstration or political rally occurs, you should avoid the area, minimize your movements and exercise a high degree of caution,” reads the latest advice of the Australian government.

Almost all five-star hotels in Kathmandu have revised down their November occupancy forecasts as tourists have started canceling their planned trips to Nepal with the CA election approaching.

The hotels said they had over 90 percent bookings for November, but some potential guests started canceling or postponing their holidays due to the polls. They, however, said the election was not the sole reason for the cancellations. The 10-day nationwide strike from Nov 11 announced by the CPN-Maoist has also scared away tourists. The hotels said cancellations were received mostly from Japanese and Americans visitors.

November is the peak tourist season in Nepal when arrivals reach more than 83,000 monthly. The country welcomed 803,092 tourists in 2012 which directly contributed Rs 30 billion to the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has said there will be no inconvenience for tourists during the election as it has made arrangements for them to get around without problems.

NTB said it would issue passes for tourist vehicles so that they can travel without hindrance. However, overland tourists will be affected on election day as all the border points will be sealed from the evening of Nov 18 to Nov 20.

source: the kathmandu post,7 Nov 2013