Nepal’s Tourism Board has now made it mandatory for visitors to hire a guide for all national park and conservation treks in Nepal in a bid to ensure safety for tourists. The decision, which was made after years of discussion, has since elicited mixed reactions among visitors, particularly those who prefer to go trekking alone. Independent guides who oppose the rule claim they will be hit hard by the change, as they are now not allowed to take clients trekking with the new rule stating that the TIMS permit will only be issued via authorised trekking agencies. Meanwhile, tourism entrepreneurs believe the guide rule will save lives while generating more job opportunities for Nepali nationals. Nepal has seen around 50,000 solo trekkers in 2019, but NTB claims an average of 10 – 15 of them go missing yearly.