Source::Rss
The picturesque region of Mustang is experiencing a notable surge in tourist activity as the peak tourist season unfolds. In Nepal, August to November marks the prime period for tourism, and this year has seen a significant uptick in visitor numbers. According to the Area Conservation Office of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project in Jomsom, an impressive total of 15,328 foreign tourists have explored the wonders of Mustang since July.
"From July to October in the current fiscal year, we've welcomed 13,098 tourists from SAARC nations and 2,230 tourists from beyond the SAARC region," reported Pramodraj Regmi, the head of the conservation office. "The majority of foreign tourists flock to Mustang, with Indian religious pilgrims primarily heading to the sacred site of Muktinath."
Regmi also noted that the Mustang tourism sector, which was hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, is gradually regaining momentum. Additionally, he acknowledged a slight dip in the number of domestic tourists compared to the previous year. "While we don't have precise statistics for domestic tourists visiting Mustang, it's evident that Nepali visitors to the region are fewer this year," he stated.
Manguna Thakali, the owner of the Jomsom-based Srijan Hotel and Thakali Kitchen, expressed concern about the decline in domestic tourism compared to the previous year. "Historically, domestic tourism in Mustang used to flourish during Dashain, with hotels fully booked during the festival. However, this year, we've witnessed empty rooms during the main festival days," Thakali lamented. "Economic challenges have also impacted Mustang tourism, but we remain hopeful that domestic tourism will rebound after Dashain."
Thakali pointed out that despite some improvements, the road connectivity to Mustang remains subpar, posing challenges for tourists. "While road conditions have slightly improved compared to the rainy season, tourists travelling to Mustang still face difficulties due to inadequate road infrastructure," he added.
Local hotel and tourism business owners are worried about the reduced influx of tourists during the peak season. Tourists access Mustang by road through Myagdi or by air from Pokhara. Dr. Robin Kadaria, the head of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, mentioned that even after traversing the Thorang La Pass via Manang, tourists venture into Mustang. He emphasized that Mustang, a renowned part of the Annapurna Circuit, remains a preferred destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.
"In general, while foreign tourist numbers in Mustang have risen, there appears to be a decline in tourists from countries outside the SAARC region," Chief Dr. Kadaria stated. "The majority of foreign tourists visiting Mustang are Indian religious pilgrims. The Muktinath area, situated in Mustang, holds immense significance for Hindus worldwide as a sacred religious site."
The road through Muktinath, where the Buddhist monk Padmasambhava preached Buddhism on his way to Tibet, has also turned the area into a pilgrimage site for Buddhists. Many believe that visiting the Muktinath temple can lead to spiritual salvation, drawing thousands of pilgrims each year with hopes of fulfilling their wishes and honoring their ancestors._Rss
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