The world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, and the surrounding Khumbu region are 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 Bibek Shrestha reported that 694 tourists arrived that day, including 608 foreigners and 86 Nepalis, filling up hotels in the area. Of those, 652 foreigners and 151 Nepalis were headed toward Namche. Veteran Everest climber Tembachhiri Sherpa mentioned that it has become difficult for visitors to find hotel rooms during this busy spring season.
With favorable weather, flights to Lukla have increased, leading to a noticeable rise in tourist arrivals, according to Amrit Magar, in charge of Tara Air’s Lukla station. “Since the weather in Lukla is good, we’ve increased flight frequency. As a result, both domestic and international tourist arrivals have gone up, and hotels are getting fully booked in advance,” he said.
Tourism entrepreneurs in the Khumbu region are delighted with the surge. Karma Sherpa, Senior Vice President of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), stated that the tourism industry is regaining momentum after the slowdown caused by COVID-19. The rising tourist flow is boosting local income and creating more job opportunities, he added.
According to Sherpa, hotels in Lukla, Namche, and surrounding areas are now packed with tourists. Most visitors to the Khumbu region also explore Sagarmatha National Park, which has led to increased revenue for the park. As per the park office, entry fees are Rs. 1,500 per person for SAARC nationals, Rs. 3,000 for tourists from other countries, and Rs. 100 for Nepali visitors. This revenue contributes to Nepal’s economy, said Susma Rana, the park’s Chief Conservation Officer. She also noted that most tourists reach Lukla via flights from Kathmandu or Manthali Airport in Ramechhap, and then trek to Namche, Tyangboch, Pheriche, and ultimately to Everest Base Camp.
