FCO under fire for Nepal advice
The Foreign Office is being criticised by a specialist tour operator for failing to change its advice on travel to parts of Nepal.
Exodus Travels has said that the FCO is still advising against travel to the mountain areas following the earthquake earlier this year.
But it says a report by the government of Nepal, geotechnical and structural engineers insists that there was ‘minimal damage’ to the majority of accommodation and trails.
Exodus Travels is infuriated that while Nepal is desperate for business and has been given an all clear on the trekking routes, many walkers who want to travel to Nepal are unable to because of continuing Foreign Office advice.
Managing director Pete Burrell said: "We are really struggling with the Foreign Office’s stance on Nepal. If they wait any longer to lift their travel warning it will be too late for this season which will have dreadful consequences in the country.
"We want to send trekkers there, people want to go, the Nepali’s are desperate for this business, the porters, guides and Sherpas are ready, yet one unnecessary stumbling block remains in place.
"The sooner they lift this effective ‘ban’, the sooner Nepal can recover properly. By continuing with this the FCO are kicking a country that is already on the canvas."
"The only comment from the Foreign Office was that they ‘will review the situation in the next few weeks’. This is patently not enough."
An FCO spokesman said: "We continue to advise against all but essential travel to many mountain areas because of increased landslide risks during monsoon season following the recent earthquake."
"We constantly monitor the situation on the ground in Nepal, taking into account expert scientific advice, and will continue to keep our travel advice under close review."
Diane
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