A Himalayan border crossing is lost while Intrepid bets on agents and Morocco

The Aug 26 debris flood in Nepal's Langtang region has killed 1,453 people, with 6,664 still missing. It also destroyed the Rasuwagadhi/Kyirong crossing, one of the busiest China–Nepal land links, and the road to Gyirong Port. Trishuli and Bhote Koshi valley infrastructure is damaged too.

For advisors, the commercial issue is routing. Kailash pilgrimage itineraries that run through Nepal are disrupted. The main Langtang trekking valley was bypassed, but access roads and downstream areas are affected, so treat any operator's assessment as something to verify before departure.

What to do now: confirm client safety and whereabouts first. Then ask each operator how they are rerouting, and get the force majeure and refund terms in writing before rebooking or deferring.

• Check any Nepal, Langtang or Kailash bookings against the destroyed crossing and road
• Ask operators for rerouting plans and force majeure and refund terms
• Verify access-road and downstream conditions before any departure

After a record 60-agent fam, Intrepid's UK/Ireland partnerships head says Morocco may challenge Vietnam for the top-selling spot this year. The operator has more than 350 agent fams planned for 2026, with Borneo and China still to come. It also launched Stay Intrepid, a collection of six community-led properties that includes Riad Joudour in Marrakech. Morocco availability may tighten if demand peaks, so early holds are worth considering.

The agent channel is growing. UK/Ireland trade sales are up more than 30% year on year despite the Middle East conflict, and agents drive about 40% of Intrepid's sales. Customers appear to have shifted away from Middle East trips toward other destinations. Intrepid is adding trade staff, targeting Scotland and Ireland, and plans webinars, Black Friday campaigns and a 'Prep for Peaks' programme. It is at the ATAS conference at Silverstone today and tomorrow (Sept 21–22). Premium-range agent incentives for National Travel Agent Day run through September.

• Growth destinations named: China, Galápagos, Uzbekistan, Costa Rica, Greece and Italy
• Premium-range incentives close at the end of September

Slovenia has opened a 307km long-distance thru-hike through the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. The route links mountain valleys and villages and is built around 54 protected springs. It adds to Europe's self-guided and small-group hiking supply beyond the Dolomites and Alps classics.

This is early-stage product. No operator packaging or commission details have been reported, so there is nothing to book yet. Advisors who sell active Europe should watch for walking-tour operators packaging it, since a multi-day route like this lends itself to guided or self-guided itineraries.