TTT NEWS NETWORK
KOLKATA| 16 SEPTEMBER 2026
The PATA Foundation has launched the Nepal Tourism Recovery Fund to support tourism workers and small businesses whose livelihoods have been affected by the devastating floods that struck Nepal on August 26.
The floods caused significant loss of life and widespread damage, particularly along affected river corridors and downstream communities. Tourism communities in the affected areas, including guides, drivers, porters and operators of homestays, lodges, teahouses and small hotels, have lost homes, business premises, equipment and income.
The Nepal Tourism Recovery Fund will focus on helping these tourism-dependent families and businesses rebuild their capacity to earn a living.
In a joint statement, Henry Oh, Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), and Andrew Jones, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PATA Foundation, said: “Our first thoughts are with the families who have lost people, and with those still waiting for news. Nepal’s tourism communities are among the most resilient I have worked with, and they will rebuild. What they need from our industry is support that reaches individual livelihoods, and an accurate account of which parts of the country are open so that the autumn season is not lost as well.
Donations to the Fund will support practical recovery needs, including equipment for guides, porters, drivers and tourism workers; the refitting of lodges, homestays and teahouses so they can receive guests again; tools, stock and equipment for tourism-related businesses; and shared facilities used by affected communities.
Every grant will be approved by the PATA Foundation’s Board of Trustees, with the Foundation committed to publishing information on funds raised and how they are used.
“The purpose of this Fund is straightforward: to help tourism-dependent families get back to earning,” added Mr. Jones. “For many people in the affected areas, their home and their tourism business were the same building. Rebuilding the equipment, premises and capacity that allow them to welcome visitors is an important part of the recovery.”
Nepal remains open to tourism:
PATA and the PATA Foundation are also urging the international tourism industry and travellers to distinguish between affected areas and the rest of Nepal.
While the impact of the disaster is severe, its effects are not uniform across the country. Conditions and access can change quickly, however, particularly as recovery and assessment operations continue and further weather-related incidents may affect individual areas.
The two organisations are therefore encouraging travel businesses, media, travellers and other tourism stakeholders to check the latest official information and destination-specific travel status before making or communicating travel plans.
The Government of Nepal has similarly called for travel advisories to be confined to specific affected areas while highlighting that the rest of the country remains open for travel and tourism.
“Continued travel to destinations that are open and operating is one of the ways the tourism industry can stand with Nepal at this time,” the statement added. “Those bookings sustain businesses, workers and communities, while allowing recovery efforts to focus on the areas most directly affected.”
The Fund is open to contributions from individuals, tourism organisations, businesses and other supporters of Nepal’s tourism community.
To support the Nepal Tourism Recovery Fund, visit www.patafoundation.org/nepal-tourism-recovery-fund.
For organisations interested in making a direct contribution or discussing a larger commitment, please contact Foundation@PATA.org.
For the latest information on travel conditions in Nepal, travellers and tourism businesses are encouraged to consult official Nepal government and tourism authorities and destination-specific guidance before travelling.
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