Gandaki. Tourists from 169 countries visited various destinations in the Annapurna Conservation Area in the last fiscal year. A total of 508,476 foreign tourists visited the region during the period.

Of them, 384,145 are from South Asian countries and 124,331 from other countries. The highest number of Indian tourists (375,797) visited Chitwan. A total of 12,539 Chinese tourists came second and 9,884 American tourists came third.

Tourists from England include 9,859 from Britain, 7,939 from France, 7,848 from Malaysia, 7,634 from Germany, 7,448 from Bangladesh, 7,095 from Australia and 6,398 from Israel.

According to Annapurna Conservation Area Project Chief Dr Rabin Kadariya, the number of foreign tourists visiting Annapurna has doubled in comparison to the fiscal year 2081/82 BS. According to him, a total of 278,113 people visited Annapurna region in the fiscal year 2081/82 BS. A new record has been set in tourist arrivals in the last fiscal year, he added.

Kadaria said the number of tourists from South Asian countries including India had increased by three hundred percent in May. This is the first time such a large number of Indian tourists have come to Nepal. Promotion of tourist destinations in these areas including Pokhara, Muktinath, ease of transportation and publicity through social media are some of the reasons for the increase in the number of Indian tourists.

Indian tourists flock to Pokhara and nearby destinations to escape heat during this season. Hotel occupancy in Pokhara had reached 90 percent in the month of April-May. Around 40 percent of Indian tourists visiting Pokhara go to Muktinath, said chief Kadariya. Annapurna is considered a world famous destination for trekking tourism.

Tourists trekking routes to Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghandruk, Tilicho Lake of Manang, Thorangla Bhanjyang, Upper Mustang, Muktinath area and Ghodepani of Myagdi reach the destinations through the Annapurna circuit trekking route.

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project keeps data only of the number of foreign tourists visiting these destinations. Spread over seven thousand six hundred square kilometers, Annapurna Conservation Area is famous for its natural beauty, biodiversity, mountain life, culture, etc.

The Annapurna Conservation Area covers 87 wards of 15 local levels in Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi and Mustang. This area is considered to be excellent for tourism in terms of attractive destinations, tourism-friendly infrastructure, hospitality and service facilities.