Nepal unrest puts duty-free business on hold

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John Rimmer

24-Apr-2006

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Retailer Alpha Nepal reports that the duty-free business in Nepal has come to a standstill amid continuing political unrest in the Himalayan country

As protests against the reign of King Gyanendra continue, the political upheaval in Nepal has brought the country's travel industry to a standstill. The government has banned all domestic travel within the Himalayan state, while a number of international flights into Kathmandu International airport have been cancelled. RavenFox.com understands that the embattled Nepalese regime has also cut all mobile phone links to the country.

Duty-free retail at Kathmandu airport is operated by Alpha Nepal, which also runs a successful distribution business in the country. Alpha Asia managing director Paul Topping said: "There are very few international flights left in Kathmandu and from a business point of view it has ground to a halt. The political situation will not easily be resolved and there are many more problems ahead." Topping added that Alpha has encouraged its manager in Nepal to leave the country if her security is threatened, but the reduced flight schedule out of Kathmandu is likely to make evacuation difficult. The US government has already recommended that non-essential diplomatic staff and their families should leave.

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