The route through the Khumbu Icefall was only opened on 29 April 2026 after weeks of delays caused by a massive serac, a large block of glacier ice that experts warned could collapse at any moment. Climbers are now moving forward with extreme caution as concerns grow over safety, overcrowding, and the changing conditions on the world’s highest mountain. 

The route up to CIII (~7200 m) on Mt Everest (8848.86 m) is opened!

— Everest Today (@EverestToday) May 5, 2026

The Khumbu Icefall is one of the most difficult parts of the Everest climb. The constantly moving glacier is filled with deep crevasses, unstable ladders, and towering ice formations that can shift without warning. Some hanging ice blocks are as large as ten-story buildings. This year, the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), whose specialised “Icefall doctors” prepare the climbing route each season, warned expedition teams that the serac contained multiple cracks and could collapse at any time. The new trail now passes directly underneath the unstable formation because no safer alternative route could be found.

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The dangerous ice conditions delayed route preparation by more than two weeks. Normally, climbing ropes and ladders are installed by mid-April, allowing climbers time to acclimatise between camps before summit attempts in May. This year, however, teams were forced to wait while the serac slowly weakened. Climbers and expedition companies now fear the delay could create traffic jams higher on the mountain later this month. Long queues near the summit became an international symbol of Everest overcrowding after photos went viral in 2019.

Guides and expedition organisers say they are taking additional precautions this year. “Anyone who says they’re not concerned is either inexperienced or not paying attention. The serac is a real, objective hazard”, said Austrian mountain guide Lukas Furtenbach. He also explained that the route is currently more exposed than in previous years and passes beneath unstable ice formations. Nepali guide Ang Tshering Sherpa also warned that conditions become more dangerous later in the day as warmer temperatures increase the risk of ice melting and collapsing. The dangers are not theoretical. In 2014, a falling serac triggered an avalanche in the Khumbu Icefall that killed 16 Nepali guides and workers. 

Avalanche on Khumbu Icefall this morning, 01.05.2026.

Video ©: Julianu Lorne. pic.twitter.com/LrtjprjGrm

— Everest Today (@EverestToday) May 1, 2026

Climate change is adding to concerns on Everest and across the Himalayas. Scientists and local communities have warned for years that glaciers are melting faster because of rising global temperatures. Faster melting creates unstable ice structures and increases avalanche risks on climbing routes. During a visit to Nepal in 2023, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned about the rapid loss of Himalayan glaciers and their consequences for millions of people who depend on the mountain water system. Everest climbers are increasingly experiencing these changes directly on the mountain itself.

Despite the risks and rising costs, interest in Everest remains high. Climbing permits for foreign climbers increased this year from $11,000 (€9,400) to $15,000 (€12,700), while total expedition costs can reach between $45,000 (€38,000) and $70,000 (€59,500) per person. Even so, hundreds of climbers are attempting the summit this season. According to expedition organisers, the number of climbers from Europe and the United States has slightly decreased due to rising travel costs and geopolitical tensions affecting flights and fuel prices. However, the number of Asian climbers has continued to grow. China has also closed its side of Everest to foreign climbers this year, meaning all international expeditions are taking place from Nepal. 

A beautiful view descending the summit of Mt #Everest (8848.86 m). Video ©: Gao Li. pic.twitter.com/HzbpGQpfyI

— Everest Today (@EverestToday) May 7, 2026

Nepal is now trying to tighten control over Everest tourism after years of criticism about overcrowding and inexperienced climbers. Earlier this year, lawmakers approved a tourism bill that would require Everest climbers to first complete a 7,000-metre Nepali mountain before receiving a permit. Climbers would also need recent medical certificates and detailed ascent plans. The proposed reforms are designed to improve safety standards and reduce the number of underprepared visitors attempting the climb. Officials also hope stricter rules will help protect Everest’s international reputation.

That reputation had already been damaged in recent months by a major rescue fraud scandal in the Everest region. Nepali authorities uncovered an alleged multimillion-dollar insurance scam involving fake or unnecessary helicopter evacuations between 2022 and 2025. Investigators say guides, helicopter companies, hospitals, and trekking operators worked together to exaggerate or fabricate medical emergencies in order to claim money from international insurers. The scandal raised fresh questions about oversight and commercialisation in Nepal’s mountain tourism industry. Officials fear the controversy could harm confidence in Everest tourism at a time when the country is trying to present itself as a safer and more responsible destination.

Everest remains one of the world’s most powerful travel and adventure symbols more than 70 years after Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first reached the summit in 1953. Thousand of climbers continue to be drawn to the mountain each year despite the physical dangers, unpredictable weather, and growing costs. Yet the challenges facing this year’s climbing season also reflect wider questions about the future of tourism on Everest. Climate change, overcrowding, safety concerns, and commercial pressures are all reshaping the experience of climbing the world’s highest peak.

L’article Mount Everest season opens amid unstable glacier block and rising safety concerns est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

For decades, Nepal has occupied a rare place in the global imagination. It is a country synonymous with Mount Everest, spiritual depth, Himalayan majesty, and a sense of wonder that few destinations can replicate. But in a global tourism economy now shaped as much by long term value as by natural appeal, Nepal deserves to be viewed through a far more serious lens: not simply as an extraordinary place to visit, but as one of Asia’s most intriguing tourism investment frontiers.

What gives Nepal this edge is not only its iconic geography. It is the country’s unusual ability to combine adventure, spirituality, culture, heritage, wildlife and community based hospitality within a single national identity. Very few destinations can credibly serve so many travel motivations at once. Nepal can appeal to the trekker, the pilgrim, the wellness traveller, the cultural explorer and the investor looking beyond saturated tourism markets. That breadth is not just a branding advantage. It is an economic one.

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Lumbini and Mount Everest alone would already give Nepal a powerful position in world tourism. One is among the most spiritually significant places on earth, recognised as the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The other remains the ultimate global symbol of exploration, endurance and human ambition. Together, they form a rare duality: a destination grounded both in transcendence and aspiration. That kind of symbolism matters in tourism because the strongest destinations do not merely attract travellers. They command emotional meaning.

Yet Nepal’s real depth goes beyond landmarks. Nepal Tourism Board describes the country as home to about 101 ethnic groups speaking over 92 languages, an extraordinary degree of diversity for a nation of its size. This is one of Nepal’s most underappreciated tourism assets. Diversity here is not a slogan; it is embedded in festivals, architecture, cuisine, ritual life, crafts, music and local hospitality traditions. For modern tourism, that creates something immensely valuable: authenticity with layers.

Its geography adds another strategic dimension. Within a relatively compact national footprint, Nepal stretches from lowland environments to some of the most dramatic alpine terrain in the world. This physical range helps explain why Nepal can support such a wide tourism spectrum, from nature and wildlife to trekking, pilgrimage and mountain wellness. In an age when travellers increasingly seek multidimensional experiences rather than single purpose holidays, Nepal’s geographic diversity becomes a business advantage as much as a scenic one.

@breterlop One of those places I never stop thinking about From trekking in the Himalayas to completing a silent retreat, seeing wild rhinos on a walking safari, & exploring Kathmandu- Nepal was one for the books • #travel #traveltok #traveltiktok #nepal #nepalitiktok #nepaltravel #trek #mardihimaltrek #himalayas #annapurna #silentretreat #backpacking #solotravel #solofemaletravel ♬ original sound –

Crucially, momentum is no longer hypothetical. Nepal Tourism Board reported that April 2025 was the strongest April on record for international arrivals, with 116,490 visitors, while the first four months of 2025 brought total arrivals to 415,048. Just as notably, April 2025 surpassed the pre-pandemic April 2019 benchmark. These figures suggest that Nepal is no longer simply recovering. It is reasserting itself.

That matters because investment stories become compelling when narrative meets timing. Nepal already possesses global recognition, emotional brand equity and clear differentiation. What it still has, and what many mature destinations no longer do, is room to build. In much of the world, premium tourism investment now means entering crowded, expensive, highly competitive markets. Nepal offers a rarer proposition: global fascination paired with underdeveloped upside.

Its medium term direction reinforces that promise. Public facing sources point not to a formal “Tourism 2040” doctrine, but to the Nepal Tourism Decade 2023–2032 vision, under which the country aims to attract 3.5 million annual visitors by 2032. That target is significant not because it signals scale alone, but because it reflects intent. Nepal is positioning tourism not as a passive byproduct of beauty, but as a structured national growth engine. For investors, 2040 is therefore best seen not as an official policy label, but as a strategic horizon built on the country’s current trajectory.

For foreign investors, the attraction is clear. Investment Board Nepal explicitly identifies tourism as a priority opportunity area, particularly across adventure, cultural, religious and MICE tourism. It also stresses the need for private sector participation in closing infrastructure and service gaps. That is the language investors pay attention to. It signals that Nepal’s next tourism chapter will not be built by promotion alone. It will be built through capital, design, execution and confidence.

This is where the real opportunity lies. Nepal is not simply looking for more visitors. It is implicitly making the case for better products, stronger infrastructure and higher value experiences. Premium hospitality, wellness and spiritual tourism concepts, pilgrimage linked infrastructure, destination mobility, resort led development and upgraded visitor services all sit naturally within that opportunity set. That is an inference from official priorities rather than a quoted government checklist, but it is a commercially logical reading of where value can be created.

The institutional story also matters. Nepal’s Department of Industries states that foreign investment is governed by FITTA 2019 and the Industrial Enterprises Act 2020, while Investment Board Nepal presents itself as a high-level body chaired by the prime minister and tasked with creating an investment-friendly environment. No emerging market is without friction, of course. But serious investors are more likely to engage when opportunity is anchored in institutional architecture rather than promotional rhetoric alone. Nepal appears increasingly aware of that distinction.

Political leadership may add further momentum. Nepal’s current prime minister, Balendra Shah, took office on 27 March 2026, amid a broader atmosphere of reform expectations and generational change. It would be too early to claim that he has already articulated a fully developed tourism doctrine. But youth in leadership can matter, particularly in emerging economies where symbolism and speed often move together. A younger prime minister can project dynamism, urgency and stronger alignment with the aspirations of a rising generation. If that energy is matched by policy execution, Nepal’s tourism and investment narrative could gain an added layer of confidence and credibility.

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That reformist tone is already visible in tourism sector messaging. On 6 April 2026, Nepal Tourism Board reported Tourism Minister Khadak Raj Paudel calling for a new working style centred on quality, innovation, long term planning and results oriented strategy. These are not abstract buzzwords. They are signals that Nepal understands an increasingly competitive truth: tourism success today cannot rest on image alone. It must be supported by delivery.

This is why Nepal now deserves more serious attention from the global investment community. It is globally recognised, culturally layered, emotionally resonant and institutionally engaged, yet still early enough for investors to help shape the market. That combination is rare. In many destinations, the brand is strong but the upside is already priced in. In Nepal, the brand is global, but the investment story is still being written.

The most compelling tourism opportunities of the next decade may not come from places the world has overlooked. They may come from places the world has admired for years, but not yet fully built around. Nepal fits that description perfectly. Its next great ascent may not be on its mountains alone, but in its ability to transform extraordinary identity into investable scale.

L’article Nepal’s next ascent lies in tourism investment, not just its peaks est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The scheme, which was uncovered by a police investigation, allegedly involved guides triggering costly helicopter evacuations between 2022 and 2025, affecting at least 4,782 climbers. Investigators estimate that around 300 evacuations were carried out under fraudulent or unnecessary circumstances. So far, 32 people have been charged under the Organised Crime Prevention Act, with around eleven individuals having been arrested. 

Initial reports from international media outlets claimed that climbers had been deliberately poisoned in order to justify emergency evacuations. Food was allegedly tampered with using substances such as baking powder or misused medication, while other accounts mentioned the introduction of uncooked chicken or rat droppings into tourists’ meals to induce symptoms resembling altitude sickness.

The scheme reportedly extended well beyond individual guides, involving tour operators, Sherpas, trekking companies, helicopter operators and hospital executives. Once travellers displayed symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, or body aches, they were persuaded to accept a helicopter evacuation.

From there, the alleged fraud unfolded. Medical and flight documents were forged to claim costs from international insurers. Flights carrying multiple passengers were billed as individual evacuations, and hospital admissions and treatment reports were fabricated. In some cases, investigators say, tourists never even set foot in the facilities for which they were billed.

The first arrests were made in January.

The total fraud is estimated at around $20 million, extracted from insurers through unnecessary, exaggerated or entirely fabricated claims.

However, Nepal’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has dismissed some of the more sensational claims. While confirming that the insurance scam is well established, the CIB told Climbing magazine that the official investigation has found no evidence of “poisoning”.

In a press release signed by Senior Superintendent of Police Shiva Kumar Shrestha and addressing inaccuracies in international reporting, the CIB stated that “no facts have been found to suggest that poisonous substances were mixed into food” to facilitate fake rescues.

Attention of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has been drawn to recent news reports circulated in national and international media regarding the Bureau's investigations into the "FAKE RESCUE" of tourists.#theeverestnews #nepal #nepalnow #fakerescue #CIB pic.twitter.com/yMvrbWAb6q

— The Everest News (@TheEverestNews) April 4, 2026

Although the fraud itself is well documented, the 748-page charge sheet makes no mention of the widespread global media claims of deliberate poisoning.

The CIB also warned that the scheme has “caused harm to Nepal’s pride, prestige and dignity internationally”.

The fake rescue economy is not new, though. A similar scheme was exposed as early as 2018 by the Kathmandu Post, prompting a 700-page report and promises of reform, which largely failed to materialise.

“There was lax punitive action”, conceded Kumar, adding that “when there is no action against crime, it flourishes”.

Similar reports emerged in 2019, detailing how visitors colluded with operators to fake illness and split insurance payouts in an attempt to offset the rising cost of expeditions. In the mid-1990s, an Everest expedition cost between £2,000 and £3,000. Today, climbers pay anywhere from £33,000 to £55,000.

For Nepal, which has already been criticised for allowing Everest to become what many describe as “a complete circus”, the implications of this fraud are significant. The scandal has landed at a particularly sensitive moment, as the financial stakes have never been higher.

Tourism is a cornerstone of the national economy, and Everest remains its most powerful symbol. Damage to its reputation could deter visitors just as Nepal moves to tighten access to the mountain by introducing stricter requirements for climbers and increasing permit fees in an attempt to restore credibility.

L’article Everest fraud scandal exposes fake rescues and broken oversight est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Soaring 8,800m above sea level, Mount Everest (known as Qomolangma in Tibet and Sagarmatha in Nepal), represents a mountaineering challenge that attracts competitive thrill seekers and completionists, as well as increasing numbers of inexperienced climbers.

Expeditions from Base Camp usually last up to three months – an endurance test of extreme physical discomfort, low temperatures and oxygen levels, dangerously changeable weather conditions, and avalanche risks, which combine to mean climbers must wear mandatory tracking chips to increase their chances of being found when things go wrong. 

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What’s more, climbers are required since 2014 by Nepalese law to lug back eight kilograms of rubbish in addition to their own, and by local laws since 2025, to bring their own excrement back down the mountain in specialist “wag bags,” too, or lose their $4,000 (€3,400) deposit. And on top of all that, climbers generally find it costs between $45,000 (€38,000) and $70,000 (€59,000) per person for the privilege of undertaking an expedition.

Despite the barriers, climber numbers have increased to “complete circus” levels according to Caradoc Jones, the first Welshman to climb Mount Everest in 1995. But that could soon change, if Nepal’s Lower House approve restricting permits to those who have previously conquered at least a 7,000-metre Nepalese summit. Climbers would also need to supply recent health certificates and a comprehensive ascent plan (as well as paying the necessary fees).

The idea, in the face of shocking social media footage of long queues to reach the peak and climbers passing by corpses in the snow, is to ensure only those fit and adequately prepared are summiting Everest. Outside magazine says up to 300 deaths have occurred on the mountain, including five in 2025.

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Other elements of the legislation include more Environment Protection measures to tackle litter and human waste, a Mountaineers’ Welfare Fund, and substituting the refundable deposit for a straightforward fee which will go towards conservation.

A mountaineer with over 20 years’ experience speaking anonymously to Travel Tomorrow, said: “Today with sufficient money almost anyone can ‘climb’ Everest,” but pointed out, “there are plenty of mountains in the Himalayas and what they suggest is a good way to spread the crowds (and the revenues).” Arguing that Everest has become an “object of consumerism” that attracts people who are unable to climb an average 4,000-metre summit in the Alps, he added: “If it were up to me, I would restrict the mountain to those climbing with oxygen and/or I would limit the ratio sherpa/climbers. This would require the climbers to be more experienced. And more experienced means more respectful.”

With a General Election pending in Nepal, the Lower House is expected to vote on the Tourism Bill sometime after March. The rules could take three months to come into force, meaning expeditions taking place in the most favourable, pre-monsoon, spring season 2026 could avoid the new restrictions. 

L’article Nepal moves to tighten rules for Mount Everest expeditions est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Amid the burning of public buildings, including the parliament, the closure of Tribhuvan International Airport, and the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has reissued its official travel advice for the capital and other areas, noting that: “Protests are taking place in Kathmandu and elsewhere across the country. There have been violent clashes, with lethal force used by the police. This has led to a number of deaths and injuries.”

In less than 48 hours Gen Z protest in Nepal did the following:
– Burnt down multiple politicians' houses
– Increased the protest even during curfew and firing around multiple cities
– made the Prime Minister resign
– entered parliament and burnt it.

This is the generation that… pic.twitter.com/ovY2tWAASY

— CG (@chandangoopta) September 9, 2025

Still current at the time of writing on 10 September, the FCDO update also points out that freedom of movement has been limited and advises visitors already in Nepal to stay away from demonstrations and obey official instructions. “Curfews have been introduced in several cities, including Kathmandu and Pokhara,” the advisory continues. “Avoid protests, check local media for updates, and follow direction of the authorities.”

For those with plans to travel in or out of the country, it is important to be aware that “Kathmandu airport has also been disrupted, impacting domestic and international flights.” Anyone potentially affected should “Contact your airline, hotel and tour operator for up-to-date information before travel. Tourists should be able to move around and travel to and from airports with proof of travel plans,” the British ministry said.

There are ongoing violent protests in Nepal.

British nationals in need of consular assistance should call +977 1 4237100 or +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

Link to our travel advice in the reply. pic.twitter.com/XpkBfWWYtU

— Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) September 9, 2025

The protests follow the introduction of a ban on social media framed as a way of tackling hate speech and extremism. Many young people have taken part in denouncing the censorship and are calling for a focus instead on fighting corruption. Although the social media ban has been reversed in the wake of the uprising, the FCDO warns of “continued disruption to services.”

However, the UK has so far stopped short of officially advising against travel to Nepal, meaning that would-be visitors may find it hard to make insurance claims if they change their travel plans. Nonetheless, UK law means that those affected by flight cancellations are entitled to food, drink, accommodation, and other support from airlines.

Meanwhile, neighbouring India has urged restraint on all sides, and its Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has advised Indian nationals to postpone trips to Nepal. It has also told citizens already there to shelter indoors.

Advisory for Nepal @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/lLoMTi5HgQ

— IndiaInNepal (@IndiaInNepal) September 9, 2025

Canadian authorities have issued similar warnings.

L’article International authorities issue new travel advice for Nepal amid violent crackdown est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

In Nepal, home to eight of the ten highest mountains in the world, climbing is big business. Over the course of 2024, the sale of climbing permits brought in $5.9 million, three-quarters of which were thanks to Mount Everest. However, most peaks require some kind of climbing permit.

The country has now decided to temporarily scraps those fees for 97 peaks. The mountains are situated in Nepal’s Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces and stand between 5,970 meters and 7,132 meters high. As the provinces are located in the far west of Nepal, they are less developed and poorer than most in the country.

“Despite their breathtaking beauty, the number of tourists and mountaineers here is very low as access is so difficult. We hope the new provision will help. They can create jobs, generate income, and strengthen the local economy,” said Himal Gautam, director of Nepal’s Tourism Department, according to The Kathmandu Post.

NEPAL OFFERS “FREE” MOUNTAINS TO CLIMB FOR 2 YEARS

For the next 2 years, Nepal is waiving climbing fees on 97 massive peaks in its remote northwest, some topping 23,000 feet.

They want adventurers to ditch crowded Everest and explore untouched mountains while boosting cash… https://t.co/pC0qdzI2Ea pic.twitter.com/fVOfFXVxBG

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 11, 2025

Training grounds

Over the past two years, only 68 climbers have ventured towards some of the 97 mountains. While making the peaks free to climb might be able to boost tourism in some way, it is unclear whether or not the Nepalese government also plans on updating the local infrastructure. Moreover, due to their remote location, the peaks are difficult to reach and improving the connectivity to the areas would be crucial to boost their popularity.

As other Nepalese mountains have difficulty attracting climbers, Everest is dealing with quite the opposite problem. In 2024, 421 climbing permits were issued for the world’s highest peak, even after Nepal’s Supreme Court ordered the government in April 2024 to limit the number of permits issued for Everest and a handful of other peaks. As the mountain welcomes a growing number of climbers, overcrowding, fatal accidents, and environmental concerns have become increasingly problematic as well.

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In an attempt to lower visitor numbers and to make sure climbers contribute enough to the local economy, a 36% markup in permit fees was introduced at the start of 2025. Peak season (April-May) climbers thus have to pay $15,000 instead of $11,000, while it now costs $7,500 to climb Everest from September to November, and $3,750 from December to February.

Another law is currently underway to limit the number of incidents on Mount Everest. If accepted, the law would require anyone who wants to climb Everest to have trained by summiting another mountain over 7,000 meters in the country. Some of the mountains in Karnali and Sudurpaschim would be ideal training grounds for enthusiastic climbers.

L’article Nepal scraps fees for 97 peaks as Everest tourism booms est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Caradoc Jones, now 65, believes the sky-high prices and commercialisation have stripped Everest of its spirit of adventure. “We risk losing the elements of a real adventure,” he warns.

When he reached the summit in 1995 with Danish climber Michael Knakkergaard Jørgensen, the expedition cost between £2,000 and £3,000. Today, the same climb costs between £33,000 and £55,000.

But more than the exorbitant prices charged today, Jones regrets that by becoming popular tourist attractions, overrun with selfie-takers and box-tickers, the place “has turned into a complete circus and has almost nothing to do with real mountaineering,” he says.

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“People are quietly doing much harder things in every corner of the world and that’s where the heart of mountaineering and climbing lies I think.”

Originally from Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion, Jones says he learned “climbing mountains in Eryri when I was young” before honing his ice climbing skills in Scotland and the Alps. 

He prepared for his Everest climb with Jorgensen on the northern side of the mountain, from where one reaches the advanced base of the glacier. To him, that is where the real adventure starts, “when you’re up 1,800 m”, your body begins to feel the altitude.

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Jones vividly remembers the moment they were caught in a storm that nearly derailed their climb, just below the summit. “We were caught in a storm in the highest spot of around 8,300 metres for three days, with no certainty of ever reaching it,” he says. Only when the winds calmed were they able to continue their ascent.

One can feel the exhilaration of that moment when Jones recalls the final push to the summit. “Finally, you think you’re going to succeed because you see the old flags on the top and the last 200 yards from the north are not steep so you just feel happiness and relief as you approach,” he said. “I grew up when Everest was a personal battle, and finally we had succeeded.”

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He deplores the current state of affairs where everything has become a commercial enterprise and climbers face a growing list of regulations. Nepal is now enforcing, or about to enforce, rules requiring climbers to wear a mandatory tracking system, with chips sewn directly into their clothing and linked to GPS. The aim is to prevent people from going missing, as happened to 3.5% of climbers in 2023, and to make extremely costly rescue missions more efficient. In addition, climbers will now have to have summited at least one 7,000-metre peak within Nepal before attempting the Everest.  

“People tend to think that you can’t do things like this unless you have done a course or passed an exam and bought all this kit,” Jones scoffs. 

Nepal is trying to balance its much-needed tourism industry with environmental preservation and safety concerns, but that’s a rocky climb too, and risks taking the oomph out of the experience.

L’article ‘A complete circus’, Everest is no longer the summit of adventure est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Gone will be the long queues witnessed in recent years for the selfie atop the world’s highest peak, for if it has not been documented, has it really happened?

The shift is significant for a country heavily dependent on tourism, which trekking as one of its major attractions, bringing in both foreign currency and hard cash. Permits to climb Everest – costing about €14,000 – along with climbers’ other spending, represent a key source of revenue for Nepal, which boasts 14 of the world’s highest mountains. In January, Nepalese authorities announced that from September 2025, they would increase the fee to climb the Everest by 36%.

The Integrated Tourism Bill, read on 18 April in the Parliament seeks to reduce overcrowding, enhance safety, and address ecological issues such as pollution and waste. In recent years. In recent years, has seen growing crowds of amateur climbers, leading to dangerous bottlenecks in the so-called ‘Death Zone’, an area just below the summit where oxygen for survival is insufficient. Overcrowding has been blamed for a rise in accidents and death, while human waste and discarded equipment have left an environmental toll.

If passed by the National Assembly, the new law would require anyone wishing to climb Everest to present a certificate proving they have already climbed a 7,000-metre peak in Nepal – a move likely to reduce the number of applicants.

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This provision has already drawn criticism from international expedition organisers. ‘That wouldn’t make any sense. And I would also add mountains that are close to 7,000 metres to that list and that are widely used as preparation, like Ama Dablam, Aconcagua, Denali and others,’ said Lukas Furtenbach of Austria-based expedition organiser Furtenbach Adventures.

U.S.-based Madison Mountaineering Garrett Madison echoed that view, saying, ‘It’s too difficult to find a reasonable 7,000-meter-plus peak in Nepal. A 6,500-meter peak anywhere in the world would be a better idea’.

The climb on Mount Everest involves technical sections, including glaciers, fixed-rope sections and two extremely dangerous sections referred to as death zones: the Khumbu Icefall and the Hillary Step.

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Other measures in the bill include a mandatory check-up from a pre-approved medical institution, advance disclosure if applicants intend to attempt breaking a record; and a requirement that the sardar, or accompanying guides must be a Nepalese citizen, a step intended to keep more revenue within the country.

This last clause too has sparked criticism from Furtenbach who has pointed to the lack of qualified local guides. ‘It is important that mountain guides have a qualification like IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations), no matter what nationality they are. We do also welcome Nepali IFMGA guides to work in the Alps in Europe,’ he told Reuters.

L’article Climbing Everest about to get harder under new Nepalese law est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

As part of the initiative, twenty students were divided into four interdisciplinary groups. Each team included two students from Glasgow Caledonian University and three from Ace and was assigned to work with local organizations across four sectors: FMCG, Education, Tourism, and Sustainability. The collaborative research projects emphasized teamwork, knowledge exchange, and the development of practical, locally relevant solutions.

What is SAVE Tourism?

SAVE tourism is centered around purposeful travel—emphasizing education, service, and contribution to host communities. The acronym “SAVE” represents:

• Scientific tourism – Travel focused on research, fieldwork, or environmental study.
• Academic tourism – Involving participation in educational programs, study-abroad, or academic conferences.
• Volunteering tourism – Often called voluntourism; combines travel with community service.
• Educational tourism – Includes language immersion, cultural learning, and heritage exploration.

SAVE tourism appeals to a growing number of mission-driven travelers seeking meaningful experiences over mere sightseeing.

Evolution of SAVE Tourism

SAVE tourism has its roots in educational exchanges and volunteer-abroad initiatives spearheaded by universities, NGOs, and scientific institutions. In the early years, conservationists, anthropologists, and humanitarian workers were among its first adopters.

In 1962, Nepal welcomed its first batch of Peace Corps Volunteers—teachers and agricultural experts—following an agreement with the U.S. government. This historic step marked the beginning of structured SAVE tourism in the country.

With globalization in the 1990s and 2000s, the model expanded to include gap-year students, professionals on sabbatical, and university-led field programs. Organizations such as Peace Corps, VSO International, and Projects Abroad helped institutionalize these experiences.

While the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily paused global travel, it also sparked a resurgence of interest in purposeful, transformative travel, breathing new life into SAVE tourism.

Market overview

Though smaller in scale than leisure tourism, SAVE tourism is characterized by high-value travelers—typically educated, socially conscious, and eager to invest in impactful experiences. Regions like Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe are hubs for such travel.

The global SAVE tourism market was valued at USD 2.82 billion in 2023, with projections estimating a CAGR of 11.1% from 2024 to 2030 (Grand View Research).

Trends include:

• University exchange programs and field expeditions
• NGO-led conservation, health, and education initiatives
• Professionals taking time off to teach, study, or volunteer abroad

1. Challenges

Despite its promise, SAVE tourism poses challenges:

• Ethical risks like orphanage voluntourism, if unregulated, can harm rather than help local communities
• Lack of standardization in safety protocols, experience quality, and curriculum design
• Over-commercialization risks diluting the educational and altruistic essence of SAVE tourism

Stakeholders must strike a careful balance between impact, authenticity, and structure.

2. Opportunities for Nepal

Nepal has a unique edge in this space, with its rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and history of international cooperation. Key opportunities include:

• Public-private-academic partnerships to design joint programs
• Digital platforms to match travelers with research, teaching, and service opportunities
• Specialized operators curating customized SAVE itineraries with educational or social impact goals

As Professor Corinne Fenech of Glasgow Caledonian University shared on LinkedIn after her recent visit:

“A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate enough to return to a country which is very dear to me—Nepal. This time with a group of students… I particularly enjoyed interacting with practitioners at HELVETAS and Nepal Mountain Academy, policymakers at Nepal Tourism Board and tourism professionals at SKAL International Nepal.”

3. Conclusion

SAVE tourism is an evolving, values-driven segment of global travel that aligns with the growing demand for sustainability, personal growth, and responsible engagement. Nepal is exceptionally positioned to lead in this field—given the right strategic framework and global partnerships.

Initiatives like the International Collaborative Project do more than promote Nepal—they build meaningful connections, foster lasting friendships, and help shape a more conscious future for global travel.

L’article Nepal as a SAVE tourism destination: a collaborative initiative est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

It is a fascinating fact that the locals of Chitlang caught a glimpse of the motor car before the people in Kathmandu city did, as the first car was carried into Kathmandu by an army of sixty porters in 1922. When Britain’s King Edward VIII drove one on a hunting trip in the Terai, the Rana rulers desired motor cars for themselves, and the vehicles had to be physically transported by porters back to the Valley.

Debendra, founder of Chitlang Organic Village Resort, loves to narrate the story of how the motor vehicles of the ruling Rana family were carried from Bhimphedi to Kathmandu via Chitlang. Many Nepalese visitors have absolutely no clue about the history of cars in Nepal. In fact, before cars carried people, people carried cars to Kathmandu.

Colonel William J. Kirkpatrick was one of the many commuters who fell in love with the Kathmandu Valley at first sight from Chandragiri Hill. He mentioned its beauty in his book, An Account of the Kingdom of Nepaul (1811). However, with modern development and the construction of roads and highways, the village of Chitlang, only 30 km away from Kathmandu city, was almost forgotten on the tourism map. For decades, the once-thriving village rarely saw visitors passing by.

In 2010, tourism became key to bringing back the lost glory of Chitlang village, as locals from the Kathmandu Valley started exploring this tourism destination, which remained unaffected by mass tourism. As well as enjoying ‘Dal Bhat’ made from locally grown vegetables and modest accommodation, visitors also have a ‘Eureka moment’ when they discover the goat cheese from Chitlang, which is sought after in a few outlets in Kathmandu.

Mr. Ashok Thakuri is the ‘Cheese Man’ who was trained in Belgium and France. He successfully produced goat cheese as a cottage industry. With the success of his cheese factory, he has also started a homestay business, which appears to be the most comfortable in the village, featuring attached baths, solar-heated showers, and WiFi. This clearly indicates the growing demand for better accommodation and higher prices. Indeed, many of the group members on our tour did not miss the opportunity to buy cheese as the most precious souvenir.

The traditional houses in Chitlang village are spread out into pockets of different ethnic groups, such as Newars, Brahmins, Chettris, and Tamangs. According to historians, King Amshuverma granted land to shepherds and established a settlement for them in Toukhel, Nhulgaun, Kunchhal, and other areas of Chitlang. Some historians believe that these people (Gopalis) are the descendants of rulers from the Gopal era. Chitlang also celebrates Newari festivals just as the Kathmandu Valley does. The Kartik Naach, a dance performed in Patan, Kathmandu Valley, in October-November, is undoubtedly the most popular one. A stone inscription in Majhgaon’s Ashoka Stupa dates back to the Licchavi Era (between the 5th and 8th centuries AD), further signifying the historic importance of the village.

Chitlang perfectly represents the current situation of the tourism industry. An alluring destination that holds generations of culture. Although Chitlang temporarily lost attention due to modernisation, it has retained its beauty over time. Similarly, despite the pandemic standing in the way of an entire industry, it is strongly believed that now is the time to breathe life back into tourism and experience history while creating another one in a sustainable manner.

L’article How Chitlang village witnessed Nepal’s first motor cars est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.