Just when things seemed to be getting from bad to worse for tourism, the government has taken damage control measures. It decided this week to open up 103 new Himalayan peaks to mountaineers from the spring 2002 season, which brings the total number of peaks now open for climbing to 263. There are still some which are out-of-bounds, Machapuchare (right) being one. For peaks of less than 6,500m elevation, the government has scrapped a rule requiring mountaineering expeditions to take liaison officers, paying their entire cost in addition to fees (and bribes). The Nepal Mountaineering Association says the decision will help inject more dynamism in the rural economy by creating more jobs needed to cater to tourist traffic. Nepal's adventure destinations are less affected by political turmoil than holiday tourism, and the decision could lure more tourists to Nepal's remote areas in large numbers in 2002, which is also the International Year of Mountains.

Private businesses are also teaming up with Royal Nepal Airlines to lure tourists to Nepal and fill hotels rooms that have largely remained empty throughout 2001. The new package-still in the works at time of going to press-would aim to sell cheaper packages on destinations served by Royal Nepal Airlines. One idea being discussed is a three-day package for travelers from Bombay or Bangalore at Rs 28,160, which is almost what a normal roundtrip fare would be.

Other plans are to waive visa fees for short time visitors and reduce it for multiple entries. This has been the second consecutive bad year for tourism: arrivals in 2000 dropped by about six percent compared to 1999 numbers and the drop this year is expected to be still higher. Early estimates of the Nepal Tourism Board suggest that tourism numbers this year could drop by over 13 percent compared to 2000.