Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari affirmed on Thursday (September 17) that Nepal is swiftly recovering from recent catastrophic flash floods, assuring that major tourist destinations, international airports, hotels, and travel services across the country remain fully operational and open to international visitors.

Speaking at the inauguration of the three-day 13th Asian Tourism Fair (ATF) 2026 at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka, Ambassador Bhandari called upon Bangladeshi travelers to resume trips to Nepal.

"Nepal is recovering, Nepal is resilient, and Nepal is open for you," Ambassador Bhandari stated during his opening address.

Disaster Impact and Rehabilitation Efforts

Reflecting on the unprecedented flash floods that struck Nepal on August 26, Ambassador Bhandari detailed the scale of destruction caused by sudden surges of water, ice, and debris:

• Humanitarian Toll: The disaster resulted in approximately 1,400 fatalities, with over 5,000 individuals reported missing across affected zones.

• Reconstruction Estimate: Having completed immediate rescue and relief operations, Nepal has transitioned toward long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation, with preliminary financial requirements estimated to exceed $5 billion.

• Localization of Impact: The ambassador emphasized that flood damage was primarily confined to specific river basin corridors, leaving major cultural and trekking hubs intact.

Tourism Infrastructure and Bangladesh-Nepal Bilateral Ties

Reassuring prospective travelers, Ambassador Bhandari highlighted that Nepal's international airports are operating normally, with travel agencies, trekking operators, and hospitality services fully functioning.

Underscoring the growing tourism linkage between the two neighboring nations, the ambassador noted that approximately 60,000 Bangladeshi tourists visited Nepal in 2025. He urged joint initiatives among governments, tourism boards, airlines, and private sector stakeholders to further boost regional travel and people-to-people exchanges.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Mohiuddin Helal, Editor of Parjatan Bichitra and Chairman of the Asian Tourism Fair. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rasheduzzaman Millat attended as the chief guest, alongside Barrister Motasim Billah Faruqui, CEO of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, and diplomatic representatives from Sri Lanka and the Maldives.