Kaski, March 30:

Number of tourists coming for trekking to the Annapurna region has increased significantly. With the increase of tourists on the trekking trails, business of local businessmen have also picked up.

Locals are also doing their best in making tourists feel welcome in their village. “I was most impressed with the way local women welcome tourists”, a Japanese tourist Masayo Kiyata said.

The owner of Namaste Guest House situated at Tolka in Kaski, who was busy serving dinner to almost one-dozen tourists on Monday night, said, “The number of tourists has increased significantly nowadays compared to earlier times.”

Similarly, owner of a restaurant at Deurali of Lumle VDC, Sun Maya Gurung said sale of refreshments and other snacks has increased in her restaurant with the increase in tourists trekking in the region. The tourists come for trekking in the region mostly in March, April and May months.

The counter incharge of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Laxman Khanal at Damsite stated that on an average some 100 tourists come for trekking in Annapurna region daily. Earlier, the number used to be mere three-dozen. Almost 60 per cent of tourists visiting Pokhara opt to trek in Annapurna region. The tourists have to acquire permission to go trekking in the Annapurna region.

The tourism officer at the ACAP headquarters in Pokhara Anu Kumari Lama stated that the number of tourists visiting Annapurna in the February 2007 increased by 131 per cent reaching upto 3,617 in comparison to the same month last year. Altogether 36,901 tourists had visited Annapurna region last year.

Mostly, tourists of European, Chinese and Korean origin come for trekking in the Annapurna region, the chairperson of western regional chapter of Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) Sanjeev Thapa said. He added that the number of tourists visiting the trekking trails has increased significantly after the provision of acquiring permission to visit the trekking trails has been strongly implemented.

Trekkers mostly trek in Annapurna base camp in Kaski, Punhill and Ghorepani in Myagdi and also trek the complete 215 kms long route of Annapurna trekking trail.

Tourists in ACAP

Year Tourist

2006 37,901

2005 36,224

2004 42,347

2003 40,535

2002 38,642

2001 65,313

2000 76,407

Source: ACAP