Thamel Tourism Hit Hard By Protests During Nepal’s Peak Travel Season
12th September 2025, Kathmandu
Kathmandu’s iconic tourist hub, Thamel, known for its vibrant nightlife, trekking agencies, hotels, and bustling streets, has been left unusually quiet in recent days.
Thamel Tourism Hit Hard
Just as Nepal’s tourism industry was recovering from the effects of COVID-19, fresh political protests have struck a heavy blow during what should have been the peak travel season.
Tourism Businesses in Thamel Struggle Amid Protests
Hotels, lodges, restaurants, pubs, dohori clubs, travel agencies, and even street vendors are facing direct losses. Normally, the festive season is one of the busiest times of year, with international tourists arriving for trekking in Nepal, climbing the Himalayas, and exploring Kathmandu’s cultural sites.
However, political instability and nationwide protests have led many tourists to **cancel hotel bookings and trekking packages, according to local business owners.
Gen-Z Movement Brings Negative Impact on Tourism
The recent Gen-Z movement protests have severely disrupted Nepal’s tourism sector, with Thamel and Durbar Marg being hit the hardest. Streets that are usually packed with tourists are now deserted.
Local entrepreneurs say that after years of setbacks — from the Maoist insurgency to the 2015 earthquake, and later the COVID-19 pandemic — the latest unrest has once again stalled recovery.
Voices From Thamel’s Business Community
Jivan Ruwali, a clothing shop owner in Thamel, told Nepal News Bank that businesses were just beginning to see improvement before the protests.
“In 30 years, we’ve faced many challenges but never lost hope. After COVID, things were starting to improve slightly. But these protests and curfews have again pushed us backward,” Ruwali said.
He added that although corruption and political mismanagement have fueled public anger, Nepal’s **natural beauty, trekking routes, and heritage sites** remain intact. This gives him hope that tourism will bounce back.
Similarly, Dinesh Acharya, a cargo business owner, expressed frustration over decades of instability.
From the insurgency, the 2015 earthquake, and COVID, to today’s protests — business has never fully recovered. For 25 years I’ve been waiting for better days in Nepal, but they never came,” Acharya said.
Nepal Tourism at a Crossroads
The timing of the protests could not have been worse. The **autumn season** is traditionally Nepal’s busiest for international tourism, with thousands of trekkers heading to the Everest and Annapurna regions. Now, with **curfews and travel restrictions**, many businesses in Thamel face uncertainty.
Despite the challenges, shopkeepers continue to keep their doors open, hoping to send a message of resilience and hospitality to the few tourists still visiting Nepal.
Conclusion: Can Nepal Tourism Recover?
Nepal’s tourism sector has proven its resilience time and again, bouncing back after natural disasters, pandemics, and political unrest.
With its unmatched **Himalayan treks, cultural heritage, and adventure travel opportunities**, the country still holds strong appeal for global travelers.
However, unless political stability is restored, the impact of ongoing protests may delay the revival of Thamel and Nepal’s tourism industry as a whole.
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