Govt requesting embassies to remove negative travel advisories

After the earthquake, many countries updated their travel advisories to Nepal, warning their citizens to not travel to Nepal unless essential, saying that aftershocks still persist and that there has been huge damage to building and infrastructures.

Canada has advised its citizens against non-essential travel to Nepal. Similarly, United Kingdom has also advised its citizens in Nepal to avoid all but essential travel to Nepal. "If you have no pressing need to remain and can leave Nepal safely, then you should do so. A major earthquake occurred on April 25 and there has been extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure, particularly outside the Kathmandu Valley," the advisory states.

Similarly, US has warned its citizens of the risks of travel to Nepal and recommended them to defer non-essential travel. Israel has advised its citizens that different factors should be taken into consideration for those who plan to travel or extend their stay in Nepal. A general advisory issued suggested that Israeli nationals refrain from visiting Nepal altogether. Likewise, Australia, in its travel advisory revised on May 13, continued to advise Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Nepal saying that relief and recovery efforts are underway.

Speaking at the meeting, Suresh Man Shrestha, secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil aviation (MoCTCA), said they would request officials of TripAdvisor, a popular travel portal, to disseminate the message that Nepal is safe. "In the upcoming meeting of United Nations World Tourism Organization and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) being held in Singapore on June 29, which is supported by TripAdvisor, we will request them to help promote Nepal," Shrestha added.

Tulsi Gautam, director general of Department of Tourism, said that they will request the ambassadors to revise travel advisories to Nepal. "We will also request them to relay the message that Nepal is safe and is ready to welcome tourists," he added.

source: republica,16 june 2015