Tourism

[seh]

Although I am truly concerned for the safety and well being of Nepalis who are living with instability, does anyone have any information on how the King views tourism? Is he still committed to protecting the tourist industry? Does anyone have any feeling for the operation of hotels and trekking companies? I have not been able to reach my trekking company, Thirdpole. I hope they are well. They have made great efforts to communicate with me and help in the planning process. I truly do pray for their safety and business. It is sad that so many depend on positive information being spread internationally. This has to hurt their business. I know it has made me second guess my March trip. I still may not go.

Thanks,

SEH

[yakshaver]

Have a look at the looooong thread seh. Someone who's got to Nepal reported on Thorntree (the lonely planet forum) that although he could't contact the hotel before landing in Nepal, once landed in KTD everything operated normaly, as expected.
Difficult to guess what the king's attitude to tourism is. However one might predict that the prevailing attitude which has lasted for 40 years, that tourists are vital to Nepal and are always welcome, this won't change in a hurry.
If the Maoists have not changed this, going to the extent of formulating a policy that they have no intention of threatening or hurting tourists in any way - why would the king change his government policy towards the rich milk cow that is tourism for Nepal...

Don't worry to much about Thirdpole. Deepak (the owner of Thirdpole) is the director of the Trekking Agencies Association in Nepal. They will be quite ok, and I don't want to say more.
Even if you just land there, you will be able to find them in their Thamel office. They can still help you. But communication will open long before you're likely to land in KTD.