Travellers hiking Nepal’s Himalayan region are being forced into taking rescue flights out of the region, purely so unscrupulous mountain guides and helicopter operators can scam insurance companies.
Trekkers are allegedly being pressured to accept airlifts out of the mountainous region for minor injury or illness so claims can be made, according to an investigation.
Helicopter operators have been raking in tens of thousands of dollars in claims for ‘unnecessary’ rescue flights.
Insurance companies have set a September 1 deadline for Nepal to clamp down on the scam or they may suspend cover.
Often several hikers are picked up by a single helicopter but claims are made for the full cost for each person.
There was evidence of trekking guides secretly putting baking soda in food which can bring on mild diarrhea.
Trekkers were then pressured into taking a rescue flight to seek medical assistance.
The tourism ministry launched the probe in June after abuses were highlighted in an earlier AFP report.
The ministry said local hospitals were also in on the racket, issuing inflated bills for very basic or sometimes non-existent medical attention.
The ministry has proposed action against 15 companies, which is about a third of all businesses probed by investigators.
Insurers believe the scam is more widespread, possibly involving hundreds of operators and guiding companies which in many cases have the same owners.
If there was a mass pullout of insurance providers it could decimate the tourism industry which is heavily reliant on trekkers.
