POKHARA, OCTOBER 6
The Annapurna Conservation Area, renowned for its trekking routes, has witnessed a sharp rise in tourist arrivals over the past three months, with 34,651 foreign visitors entering the region.
According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), 23,088 tourists visited in September, a significant increase compared to 5,249 in July and 6,314 in August. Dr. Rabin Kadaria, head of ACAP, noted that September and October are peak months for tourist visits this year.
In September, 11,682 tourists arrived from South Asian countries, while 11,406 came from other parts of the world. In August, the area welcomed 3,383 visitors from the SAARC region and 2,931 from other countries. Similarly, in July, 3,350 tourists from the SAARC region and 1,893 from other countries visited.
Popular destinations within the Annapurna Conservation Area include Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghandruk, Sikles, Khumaidanda, Tilicho Lake in Manang, Thorang La Pass, Upper Mustang, Muktinath, and Ghodepani in Myagdi.
The region also attracts a significant number of domestic tourists. In the last fiscal year, 222,180 foreign tourists visited, with 117,845 coming from Asian countries and 100,000 from other regions.
