Phungling (Taplejung), Kartik 27(Nov 12): In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of tourists visiting the Kanchenjunga area in Taplejung. The mountain of eight thousand five hundred and eighty six meters is the third highest in the world. The presence of both internal and external tourists has added a new height to the tourism business of this region.
There are two main tourist seasons in the Kanchenjunga region throughout the year. The first season takes place in Chait, Baisakh and Jeth while the second lasts from August to November. According to the statistics of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council Ghunsa Checkpoint office, around 750 foreign tourists have reached the Kanchenjunga area in the season that started in August this year. Local businessmen say that the number of domestic tourists is double that of foreign tourists.
According to Tasi Tenzing Sherpa, tourism assistant of the council, tourists have mainly come from countries like France, Australia, Germany and America on this visit. Tourism businessman Pema Sherpa said that more tourists have come this year than last year, which has also excited local businessmen. The number of domestic tourists visiting Kanchenjunga is also increasing. A large presence of domestic tourists has been seen during Dashain Tihar. During Dashain Tihar, especially locals and Nepalese tourists travel to Kanchenjunga base camp with their families. According to hotelier Serap Sherpa, hotels and lodges in the Kanchenjunga area were completely filled with domestic tourists during the festival.
According to Bimal Bhandari, a hotel owner in the capital, Fungling, there has been a 20 percent increase in the arrival of domestic and foreign tourists this year compared to last year. He said, “The tourists who came to visit Kanchenjunga have made our hotel business run.” Increased tourist arrivals in the Kanchenjunga region have contributed significantly to the local economy. There has been significant growth in hotels, restaurants, trekking guides, porters and handicraft businesses. There is a heavy presence of tourists in hotels operating in the base camp area including Fungling. According to local tourism professionals, the hotel’s income has increased by more than 30 percent this season.
According to tourism businessman Phupu Chohang Sherpa, trekking guides and porters have also benefited from the arrival of Kanchenjunga tourists. Similarly, transport businessmen have also benefited. Unless the weather is unfavorable, guides and porters have good earning opportunities. According to Tourism Assistant Tasi Tenzing Sherpa, the demand for guides, porters and tents has also increased as foreign tourists often stay for long periods. Various conservation and promotion activities have been carried out to make the Kanchenjunga region an important tourist destination in the world. The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council is working with the local community and businessmen to promote tourism. Local businessmen are also active in improving tourism infrastructure.
Various programs are being organized for the promotion of tourism, including Himalayan mountaineering fair, cultural festival and exhibition of local products. Such activities aim to attract tourists and promote local products. Although there are two main seasons for tourists to visit Kanchenjunga region, there is a problem of blocking the trekking route due to rains in June and July. Apart from this, Kancha Sherpa, who owns a hotel in Ghunsa area, said that the trekking route becomes difficult due to snowfall in May, January and February, which reduces the arrival of tourists.
Various plans are being made with the aim of making the tourism of Kanchenjunga region sustainable. Initiatives have been taken to develop tourism infrastructure in collaboration with local administration and tourism professionals. According to Tourism Assistant Sherpa, a special plan has been made to develop new footpaths, secure accommodation facilities and prepare guides.
In addition, for the convenience of tourists, attention has been paid to the management of Wi-Fi, first aid centers and eco-friendly toilets in the base camp area. Kanchenjunga region is an important tourist heritage of Nepal, which attracts both domestic and foreign tourists. Recently, the increase in the number of tourists has made local businesses run, and employment opportunities have also increased. In recent times, climate change and weather uncertainty seem to be a long-term challenge.
