Mustang, April 18
The tourist season began here quite early this year due to scant rainfall and snowfall.
About a month into the season, Mustang’s hoteliers have their hands full. With their hotels brimming with domestic tourists, hoteliers are heaving a sigh of relief, leaving behind sadness arising from the losses that they incurred due to last year’s mega quakes.
Provided the weather permits, a good number of domestic tourists also land in Mustang via air from Pokhara.
Thousands of domestic tourists visit Lomanthang, Muktinath, Kagbeni and Damodarkunda every year. Provided the weather is fair, tourism entrepreneurs like Khagendra Tulachan expect the arrivals to increase this year.
The weather has been favourable so far this year, says Tulachan, noting that the number of tourists had gone down this time around last year due to snowfall.
According to Annapurna Conservation Area Project, the number of domestic tourists visiting the area is double compared to foreign tourists. The last three years have seen a spurt in the number of domestic tourists in Mustang. These tourists visit this area during festivals and holidays and on other special occasions. Given this situation, the district’s tourism sector relies heavily on domestic tourists.
Tulachan, FNCCI (Mustang), says: Nepali people do not haggle much.
This is a huge relief for entrepreneurs like Tulachan, especially during the peak tourist season.
