Intrepid Asia MD Natalie Kidd on why travel can’t disappear after disasters, 10 years after Nepal’s …

A decade after Nepal’s catastrophic 2015 earthquake, Intrepid Travel Managing Director Asia, NATALIE KIDD, reflects on the crucial role tourism plays in the long-term recovery of destinations post-disaster.

Ten years ago, Nepal was preparing for what should have been a bumper trekking season. Then, on 25 April 2015, an earthquake struck. Measuring 7.8, it devastated the capital Kathmandu, caused widespread infrastructure collapse and led to the loss of over 9,000 lives. 

But there was another, quieter disaster unfolding: the loss of tourism. Flights were cancelled. Travellers stopped coming. Local businesses that relied on tourism, along with guides, porters, guesthouses and restaurants lost everything…