As Myanmar begins the long road to recovery after its recent earthquake, Nepal stands as a living case study in resilience. On April 25, 2015, the country was devastated by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people and wiped-out critical infrastructure across Kathmandu, Langtang, and Manaslu.
The disaster struck just as Nepal was heading into its peak trekking season. Entire communities reliant on tourism were suddenly left without homes, income, or a sense of what came next.
Ten years later, Nepal’s tourism industry hasn’t just bounced back — it’s stronger than ever
In 2024, Intrepid Travel welcomed its highest number of travelers to Nepal in a decade, surpassing 2014 levels by more than 1,000. The company was recently recognized as the top foreign currency earner among trekking agencies in Nepal, a testament to the role tourism played in economic recovery.
A community-first approach to rebuilding
Intrepid had over 300 travelers and 77 staff in Nepal when the quake struck. Within 48 hours, every traveler was safely returned to Kathmandu, thanks to the coordination of local leaders like Balaram Shrestha.
“Despite having 300 travelers scattered across the region, we were able to bring them back and organize repatriation within days,” said Shrestha, now Intrepid’s Contracting Manager for Nepal.
In the immediate aftermath, Intrepid launched a global relief appeal through The Intrepid Foundation, raising USD $253,760 for local NGOs. It also introduced a long-term recovery efforts like “Namaste Nepal”, donating all profits from Intrepid’s Nepal trips in 2015 and 2016 to grassroots recovery efforts.
“We didn't just send aid. We sent travellers."
When the earthquake struck Nepal, entire communities lost not just their homes, but their way of life,” said Leigh Barnes, President of the Americas at Intrepid Travel.
“Recovery didn’t happen overnight — it was driven by people choosing to visit, support, and stand with Nepal. Tourism can be a powerful force for rebuilding, but only if it’s done with the people who live there, not just for the people who visit.”
Intrepid’s leadership on the ground helped stabilize the industry. In 2016, traveler numbers rose +54% YoY. By 2017, Nepal trips had already exceeded pre-earthquake levels.
A blueprint for future recovery
As natural disasters grow more frequent, Nepal’s recovery story is more relevant than ever — a clear reminder that responsible tourism can be a force for real, lasting change when it centers communities, not just visitors.
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About Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel has been a world leader in responsible travel for 35 years. The company’s mission is to create positive change through the joy of travel, which comes to life on more than 900 trips all designed to truly experience local culture. With its own network of destination management companies in 28 countries, Intrepid has unique local expertise and perspectives. Globally recognized for their commitment to transparency and ethical travel, they became B-Corp certified in 2018. Intrepid Travel is also the first tour operator with near-term science-based climate targets through the Science Based Targets Initiative, and its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, has raised more than $17.37 million for more than 160 partners. In 2024, its CEO was named CEO of the Year at the Australian Executive of the Year Awards. For more information download the company’s 2023 Integrated Annual Report and follow Intrepid on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or LinkedIn.