Tourists start visiting Annapurna region

Basudev Poudel
Pokhara: Annapurna region has once again become vibrant with tourist arrivals and visits after it remained out of reach for tourists for a few weeks following the avalanche mishap that caused four Koreans and three Nepalese go missing.

The rescue operation for the missing persons is still going on. The Annapurna base camp can be reached in one week from Pokhara touristic city.

The tourist arrivals are on the increase in the recent days after the spot where the landslide had occurred was cleared said Dilip Gurung, the proprietor of a hotel in Annapurna base camp. Gurung also said that an increasing number of domestic tourists also visit the base camp.

In the world history of a mountain expedition, Annapurna mountain is considered to be the eldest one and the Annapurna trekking trail is considered to be one of the popular and topmost trekking routes in the world, said Deepak Adhikari, a former chairman of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) midwestern regional chapter.

Adhikari informed that mostly the tourists from America, Europe, Malaysia, China, and Korea visit the Annapurna region. Among these tourists, the number of Korean and Chinese tourists are more. However, their number dwindled after the pandemic fear of Coronavirus.

He also opined that due to reckless digging of routes randomly the trekking trails are being shortened and no alternative ways have been discovered which as marred the hopes of the tourism sector.

At least 28531 tourists had reportedly visited Annapurna base camp last year. These visitors’ number along with Nepali helpers had risen to one hundred thousand.

Avalanche is one of the challenges for the trekkers in the hilly region, and the government should have paid attention to take proper measures to solve this crisis. Around 26 luxurious hotels are operating in this Annapurna base camp since 2038.