Gandaki, October 27
The Annapurna Conservation Area welcomed 32,963 foreign tourists in Ashoj, spanning mid-September to mid-October, marking an increase of more than 2,400 visitors compared with the same period last year.
According to Dr Rabin Kadariya, chief of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), 12,645 visitors came from South Asian countries, while 20,318 were from other countries.
Kadariya told the National News Agency (RSS) that the area received 2,416 more foreign tourists than in Ashoj last year, when 30,547 visitors were recorded.
Ashoj saw the highest number of foreign tourist arrivals in the current fiscal year. ACAP recorded 26,591 visitors in Shrawan and 17,913 in Bhadra.
Kadariya attributed the rise to the autumn trekking season, with Ashoj and Kartik considered peak months for tourism in the region. Many visitors also choose to trek between the Dashain and Tihar festivals.
The Annapurna region offers a range of trekking destinations, including Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghandruk village, Tilicho Lake, Thorong La, Upper Mustang and Ghorepani.
The conservation area spans more than 7,600 square kilometres and is known for its natural landscapes, biodiversity, mountain communities and cultural diversity.
Trekking routes of varying lengths pass through Kaski, Lamjung, Manang and Myagdi districts. The conservation area encompasses 87 wards across 15 local governments in these districts.
ACAP records foreign visitors travelling on trekking routes in the Annapurna region, while many domestic tourists also visit the area by road. Tourism-friendly infrastructure and hospitality, alongside the region’s natural and cultural attractions, continue to draw visitors from Nepal and abroad.
