Foreign tourist arrivals increased in Taplejung

TAPLEJUNG, Jan 02:Taplejung is experiencing an increase in foreign tourists. The tourism industry, which has languished due to a lack of exposure and physical infrastructure, has begun to show signs of improvement.

The area contains more than a dozen mountains with elevations above 7,000 meters. The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area's records show that the number of foreign tourists has recently increased. According to Pramod Kumar Yadav, an officer with the Conservation Area Office, the entrance of international tourists has increased year after year for the past five years.

According to Officer Yadav, 608 international visitors visited Kanchenjunga during Fiscal Year 076/77. While just 206 people arrived during the primary coronavirus outbreak in fiscal year 078/79, the figure rose to 713 in fiscal year 079/80.

According to Conservation Officer Yadav, the number of foreign tourists who visit here has climbed year after year since the coronavirus outbreak was controlled. While 1,085 international tourists visited Taplejung in fiscal year 080/81, the number has risen to 877 by Mangsir in the current fiscal year. He stated that a large number of tourists came during the first season.

The two primary seasons are deemed good for tourism. Foreign visitors come to trek in Chaitra-Jestha (first season) and Bhadau-Mangsir (second season). According to Man Kumar Limbu, Office Secretary of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council, foreign tourists have arrived in large numbers during the first half of the season.

According to tourism entrepreneurs, the majority of visitors to Taplejung are focus in viewing the Kanchenjunga peak. Kanchenjunga is the world's third tallest mountain and Nepal's second highest (8,586 meters). Kanchenjunga is accessible by three different trekking routes. From the district headquarters, Phungling, one can go via Sinwa-Chiruwa-Tapethok-Ghunsa in Phaktanglung rural municipality. If you can drive to Tapethok, you must walk via that area.

Another route to Kanchenjunga goes through Suketar, Sikaicha-Tellok upper section of Sirijunga rural municipality-Pedang, Phumpedanda-Mamankhe, and Yamphudin. According to the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Council, the third trekking route connects Ganeshchowk-Dahalgaun-Sinam-Ambegudin-Happukhola-Khewang in Panchthar to Yamphudin.