Annapurna region receives 144k foreign tourists in nine months of current FY

POKHARA, April 20:In the first nine months of this fiscal year 2080/81 BS, 1,44,675 foreign tourists visited the world-renowned Annapurna region for hiking. According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), 59,939 tourists from South Asia and 84,736 tourists from other nations visited the Annapurna region between Shrawan and Chaitra.

According to Dr. Ravin Kadaria, the project's director, a total of 35,265 foreign tourists visited the Annapurna region in Chaitra alone, including 16,969 from South Asian countries and 18,296 from other countries. According to him, 28,705 tourists visited the Annapurna region during Ashoj.

Chief Dr. Kadaria predicts that the number of tourists will grow this month. In the previous fiscal year, 31 thousand nine hundred and 51 foreign tourists visited the Annapurna region of Baisakh. The Ashoj-Kartik and Chaitra-Baisakh seasons are thought to be the greatest for padayatra tourism.

ACAP collects data on foreign travelers who visit the Annapurna Circuit. It is unclear how many domestic tourists enter Manang, Mustang, and other destinations by road. According to 'ACAP', 191,558 tourists from 173 countries would visit the Annapurna region in 2023. The number is the highest ever.

Previously, in 2019, 181,000 tourists visited the Annapurna region. The Annapurna Circuit Trail includes stops at Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghandruk, Tilicho Lake in Manang, Thorangla Pass, Upper Mustang, Muktinath region, and Ghodepani in Myagdi.

The Annapurna conservation area has 89 wards from 16 local levels in Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi, and Mustang, spanning 7,600 km2. The Annapurna region is popular among travelers because of its natural beauty, biological richness, mountain life, civilization, and culture.

The Annapurna Circuit circuit is regarded as the top hiking destination in the world because to its stunning Himalayan ranges, tourism-friendly infrastructure, climate, local hospitality, and service amenities.

According to 'ACAP', short, medium, and long-distance trekking in the Annapurna region can be done via Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi, and other routes.