PATA Foundation Launches Nepal Tourism Recovery Fund to Support Tourism Livelihoods Following Devastating Floods

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.

Context
- On 26 August 2026, devastating floods struck Nepal, causing loss of life and widespread damage, especially along river corridors.
- Tourism communities—guides, drivers, porters, homestay and lodge operators—lost homes, businesses, equipment, and income.

Purpose of the Fund
- Support tourism workers and small businesses to rebuild livelihoods.
- Provide equipment (for guides, porters, drivers), refit lodges and homestays, restore tools and stock for tourism-related businesses, and repair shared community facilities.
- Grants will be approved by the PATA Foundation Board of Trustees, with transparency on funds raised and used.

Leadership Statements
- Henry Oh (Chairman, PATA) and Andrew Jones (Chairman, PATA Foundation Board of Trustees) emphasized:
- Solidarity with families affected.
- The resilience of Nepal’s tourism communities.
- Importance of accurate communication so the autumn tourism season is not lost.
- “The purpose of this Fund is straightforward: to help tourism-dependent families get back to earning.”

Nepal Remains Open
- PATA urges travellers and the tourism industry to distinguish between affected areas and the rest of Nepal.
- The Government of Nepal calls for targeted travel advisories, highlighting that most of the country remains open.
- Continued travel to unaffected destinations sustains businesses and communities while recovery focuses on impacted areas.

How to Support
- Contributions are open to individuals, tourism organisations, and businesses.
- Donations can be made via [www.patafoundation.org/nepal-tourism-recovery-fund].
- Larger commitments can be discussed by contacting Foundation@PATA.org.
- Travellers are encouraged to check official Nepal government and tourism authority updates before planning trips.

👉 The Fund is both a humanitarian lifeline and a tourism recovery strategy, ensuring Nepal’s communities can rebuild while keeping the country’s tourism economy active.