‘Cheap tourists’ to blame for high death toll, says Nepal tourism ministry
Nepal’s tourism ministry has attributed the high death toll of trekkers in the Himalayan snowstorm to penny-pinching tourists reluctant to spend money on a personal mountain guide.
In comments likely to anger many survivors, Mohan Krishna Sapkota, spokesman of the tourism Ministry, said many of the victims were ‘cheaper tourists’ who did not want to hire guides.
"If they were with a guide then they would have had a much better idea about the weather," Sapkota said.
The snowstorm hit Thorong Pass on the popular Annapurna Circuit walking route, trapping hundreds of trekkers.
The death toll has reportedly reached 43 but will probably rise to around 50 before everybody is accounted for, said the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal, which is helping to coordinate the search for more stranded trekkers.
Despite the comments from the tourism ministry, survivors said some guides encouraged trekkers to cross the Thorong Pass even as weather started to deteriorate.
Small avalanches hampered the search for Nepali porters and guides missing for six days after a devastating Himalayan storm.
Rescue crews began to scale back the hunt for survivors.
Nearly 600 people have been rescued from the popular hiking trail around Annapurna after it was hit by unseasonable snow and avalanches brought by the tail end of a cyclone that swept through neighboring India.
By TravelMole Asia
Diane
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026