Solukhumbu, 22 April: The Everest region, home to the world’s highest peak, is currently bustling with tourists. According to the Sagarmatha National Park Office in Namche, nearly 700 tourists entered the Khumbu region on Monday alone.
Park ranger Bivek Shrestha stated that 694 tourists entered the Khumbu area on Monday, leading to hotels in the region being fully occupied. Of these, 608 were foreign nationals and 86 were Nepali tourists. Shrestha added that among those traveling to Namche, there were 652 foreigners and 151 Nepalis.
Mountaineer Temba Chhiri Sherpa mentioned that tourists visiting the Khumbu region during the spring season are finding it difficult to get accommodation in hotels. With favorable weather conditions, flight frequency to Lukla has increased, which has contributed to the rising number of tourists, said Amrit Magar, in-charge of Tara Air in Lukla.
He said, “Since the weather in Lukla has been favorable, we have increased the number of flights. As a result, both domestic and international tourist arrivals have risen, and hotel bookings are being made well in advance.”
Karma Sherpa, Senior Vice President of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), said that tourism entrepreneurs in the Khumbu region are delighted by the increase in tourist arrivals. He noted that the tourism sector, which had slowed down after COVID, is now regaining momentum, leading to increased local income and employment opportunities.
According to Vice President Sherpa, hotels in areas like Lukla and Namche are filled with tourists. He mentioned that most tourists visiting the Khumbu region go on to explore the Sagarmatha National Park. With both domestic and international visitors coming to the park, revenue collection has increased, the park office reported.
According to the park office, entry fees are set at NPR 1,500 per person for tourists from SAARC countries, NPR 3,000 for tourists from other countries, and NPR 100 for Nepali citizens. Chief Conservation Officer Sushma Rana stated that this revenue has been contributing to the national economy. She added that most tourists reach Lukla via Kathmandu or Manthali Airport in Ramechhap, and from there they trek through Namche, Tengboche, and Pheriche toward the Everest Base Camp.
