Mustang, November 8
The number of tourists visiting the Himalayan district of Mustang has increased during the Tihar holidays, with an extended period of public holidays before and after the festival encouraging more people to travel.
Tourist arrivals had remained below expectations before and after Dashain this year due to adverse weather forecasts, including heavy rainfall, snowfall, avalanches and storms. However, improving weather conditions as Tihar approaches have led to an increase in both domestic and international visitors, according to the District Police Office, Mustang.
Police Inspector and Information Officer Santosh Basal said domestic tourist arrivals had increased by around two-thirds compared to foreign visitors during the Tihar period.
According to police data, 35,858 tourists visited Mustang between November 1 and 15. Of them, 27,107 were domestic tourists and 8,751 were foreigners. Among international visitors, 7,714 came from SAARC countries and 1,037 from other countries.
Most tourists visiting during the festive period have been travelling to Muktinath Temple, while some have also reached the Korala border point.
Tourism entrepreneurs expect domestic arrivals to continue until Chhath, as public holidays extend beyond Tihar. Suraj Gurung, a tourism entrepreneur in Muktinath, said Mustang has increasingly become a preferred destination for young travellers during the Tihar and Chhath holidays.
Besides Muktinath, popular destinations include Lo Manthang, Kagbeni, Marpha, Jomsom, Damodarkunda and various lakes and caves across the district.
—RSS
