Tourist Rush in Annapurna and Mustang Surprises Local Businesses

The flow of tourists that began at the Annapurna Base Camp in the last week of Ashoj (mid-October) has continued into the second week of Kartik (late October), leaving local businesses astonished. No one had anticipated that these two destinations would witness such a large number of visitors this year.

Hotels in Mustang, Myagdi, Baglung, and Parbat are reportedly fully booked. Hotel operators are facing significant challenges in managing accommodations. During long holidays like Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath, students, young professionals, employees of banks and financial institutions, and those returning from abroad for celebrations have chosen Mustang and Annapurna Base Camp as preferred destinations. Those traveling by road are also opting for the tourist sites in these four districts.

Mustang: A Preferred Pilgrimage Destination

For domestic tourists, Muktinath in Mustang has emerged as a prime attraction. Visitors often explore Korala Pass, Lomanthang Palace, Chhoser and Chiumsi caves, Charang and Marang monasteries, Kagbeni, Dhumpa Tal, and Marpha village. Annually, over 800,000 domestic and 150,000 foreign tourists visit Mustang.

Annapurna Base Camp: Adventure Tourism Draws Young Travelers

Short-duration travelers seeking adventure in both hill and mountain regions are flocking to Annapurna Base Camp in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Myagdi. The trek passes waterfalls, Panchkunda Lake, and reaches the base camp at 4,190 meters, offering spectacular views of the Annapurna range. The trip can be completed within three days. Nilgiri and Annapurna viewpoints on flat terraces near the base camp have made it a newly popular destination.

Visitor Numbers Strain Local Hospitality

Daily, around 8,000 tourists enter Mustang via road, while more than 500 travelers visit Annapurna Base Camp. Harikrishna Shrestha, a hotel operator in Beni, noted that more tourists have arrived than hotel capacities could accommodate, especially in Annapurna Base Camp and Mustang.

“While Dashain and Tihar have traditionally drawn visitors to Muktinath and Upper Mustang, this year’s influx to Annapurna Base Camp has overwhelmed hotels, restaurants, and homestays,” Shrestha said. “Tourists, despite carrying money, face difficulties in finding food and accommodation due to the lack of practical implementation of tourism promotion policies by the government.”

To manage the overflow, local authorities, security agencies, hotel operators, and trade associations have arranged accommodations in Kushma, Baglung, and Pokhara, including homes, community halls, and dharmashalas. Hotels in Myagdi can accommodate up to 2,000 guests daily, while Mustang can handle 3,000 visitors per day.

Full Booking and Positive Impact on Businesses

According to Raju Hamal, a hotel operator in Bhurung-Tatopani, hotels along the Maurice Herzog trail to Annapurna Base Camp and in Myagdi and Mustang are fully booked until the end of this week. “Although school, college, and offices will reopen after Chhath, occupancy remains good,” he said. He added that tourism has provided relief to businesses disappointed by the lack of visitors immediately after Dashain due to adverse weather and the Gen Z movement.

Accessibility and Promotion Drive Tourist Choice

Subin Shrestha, president of the Myagdi Chamber of Commerce, said that improved road access and media promotion have made Mustang and Annapurna Base Camp attractive to domestic tourists. “Visitors seeking pilgrimage experiences in Muktinath and Kagbeni, as well as adventure enthusiasts wanting to explore mountains, lakes, and Himalayan lifestyles, prefer these destinations,” he noted.

Social media content and news coverage have also contributed to promoting these sites, Shrestha added. Tourist arrivals have encouraged hotel operators to expand capacity, improve facilities, and attract new investment. Authorities are now under pressure to enhance accommodation capacity along the Annapurna trekking route.

Visitor Recommendations and Government Response

Tourists suggest advance booking to ease management. They have also highlighted the need for:

• Completion of the Beni-Jomsom road upgrade in Myagdi,
• Road safety measures in landslide-affected areas,
• Hotel classification and regulation of service charges,
• Maintenance of the Narachyang-Humkhola trekking road,
• Improved public transport fares,
• Enhanced communication and electricity facilities along trekking routes,
• Increased capacity and services at trekking lodges.

Haribahadur Bhandari, provincial assembly member from Myagdi 1 (A), stated that he would coordinate with all levels of government, the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), private sector stakeholders, and other agencies to identify and address the challenges facing the tourism sector.