Being one of the leading tour operators for Nepal and the Himalaya in Scandinavia I am extremely concerned about the situation in your lovely country. I am worried that corruption and mismanagement are more conspicuous than ever. The Maoist crisis wouldn't have started if it wasn't for this. The government is either too weak, too apathetic, or too corrupt to do anything about it. One small example: the "quick visa" you can get at Kathmandu airport arrival if you pay $5 to this-or-that person so you don't have to stay in line. What kind of first impression do you think that provides? The tourists can easily shake their heads and go home, but what about Nepalis who have to suffer corruption every day? The Maoists are a great threat to the stability of Nepal, no doubt. They have changed from a political force using terror to a bunch of bandits stealing from the people. There has to be a way out of this dead end. Nepal cannot afford not to find a peaceful solution. It is a no-win situation for both sides. Otherwise tourism is just going to divert from Nepal to Tibet, Sikkim and India.

Lars Gundersen
Denmark