Nepal is seeing fewer tourists, and one newly appointed tourism board member is taking action. Pemba Sherpa hiked up to Manaslu Base Camp in the Himalayas to show that Nepal’s mountains remain safe and open for visitors.
A Message From Manaslu Base Camp
Pemba Sherpa recently joined the board of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). He climbed to Mount Manaslu in the Himalayas to promote Nepal’s natural attractions.
“Nepal’s mountains remain open to mountaineers and trekkers despite the recent severe damage in Rasuwa and along the Bhotekoshi corridor,” Pemba Sherpa said from Manaslu Base Camp.
He is monitoring climbing activity on Manaslu firsthand. More than 400 climbers are currently on the mountain. According to the Department of Tourism, 451 climbers have received permits to climb Manaslu, making it the busiest peak of Nepal’s current climbing season.
“Our mountains are not closed. We remain open,” Sherpa said, as quoted by The Tourism Times on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
More Than 1,000 Climbers and Guides Expected This Season
Sherpa said the number of climbers and mountain guides involved this season will exceed 1,000. “Please visit our country, love our country, continue your climbing, trekking, and travels,” he added.
He explained that continued visits to Nepal will benefit the country and support guides and other tourism workers whose livelihoods depend on trekking and mountaineering.
“This will benefit the country, benefit the flood recovery effort, and benefit our guides and their livelihoods,” he said.
Who Is Pemba Sherpa?
Sherpa is one of five private-sector members recently appointed to the NTB board. As a director at 8K Expeditions, he has nearly 15 years of experience in Nepal’s tourism industry. His background includes managing trekking and mountaineering expeditions and working as a general manager at a trekking agency.
Manaslu: The Focus of Nepal’s Autumn Climbing Season
Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world at 8,163 meters, has become the main focus of Nepal’s autumn climbing season. “We will support your journey,” Sherpa concluded.
What This Means for Travelers and Nepal’s Tourism Industry
For trekkers and climbers thinking about a trip to Nepal this season, Sherpa’s message is that the mountains remain accessible, even though parts of the country have been hit by recent flood damage.
Areas such as Rasuwa and the Bhotekoshi corridor were specifically mentioned as badly affected, so visitors should check current trail and road conditions with their trekking agency or local authorities before setting out.
For Nepal, the stakes are high. Tourism supports many guides, porters, and small businesses, and a drop in visitors can hurt entire mountain communities. Efforts like this, a high-profile figure showing up in person, reflect how the industry is trying to rebuild confidence while recovery work continues.
