Hotels and lodges across Myagdi and Mustang districts are witnessing a surge in visitors, with rooms fully booked over the past few days. The rise in both domestic and foreign tourists has filled accommodation facilities throughout the region, local tourism entrepreneurs said.
Hotels Fully Occupied by Domestic Tourists
According to former Chairperson of the Hotel and Restaurant Entrepreneurs’ Association, Myagdi, Baburam Acharya, hotels in the area have been operating at full capacity due to the arrival of large numbers of tourists from various parts of Nepal.
“Visitors from Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Biratnagar, Rupandehi, and other districts have traveled through Myagdi on their way to Mustang,” Acharya shared. “With the Dashain–Tihar holiday season nearing its end, many tourists have come at once, creating challenges in managing accommodation.”
Popular Destinations See Heavy Crowds
Tourist hubs such as Beni, Galeshwor, Pokhrebagar, Bhurung-Tatopani, Dana, Ghodepani, and Singa Tatopani are among the most crowded destinations this week. According to the association, Beni alone hosts around 50 hotels, capable of accommodating up to 1,000 guests. However, as the number of visitors exceeded available rooms, some guests were redirected to nearby towns such as Baglung and Kushma for overnight stays, Acharya confirmed.
Post-Festival Tourism Boom
Tourist activities in Myagdi had slowed before Dashain, but have rebounded significantly after the festival, supported by improved weather and easier road transport. Although the Tihar festival has concluded, the tourist flow has continued unabated, signaling the strong recovery of post-monsoon travel.
Traffic Surge on Beni–Jomsom Road
Chief of the District Traffic Police Office, Myagdi, Bishal Pariyar, said there has been a dramatic increase in the number of vehicles traveling between Beni and Jomsom. “In the last two days alone, more than 700 vehicles, including public buses, private jeeps, and motorcycles, have been commuting daily on the route,” he said. “Earlier, the daily number used to be around 100 to 150 vehicles.” The growing traffic has caused frequent traffic jams along the Beni–Jomsom highway, particularly during peak travel hours, as tourists flock to Mustang and nearby destinations.
Favorable Weather and Holidays Boosting Travel
Local hotel entrepreneur Raju Hamal from Bhurung-Tatopani in Annapurna Rural Municipality–2 said that the pleasant weather, festive holidays, and tourist season have together drawn large numbers of visitors. “Students, businesspersons, and government employees are all taking advantage of the long holidays to visit Mustang and Myagdi,” Hamal said.
New Trekking Routes Gaining Popularity
This year, the Maurice Herzog Trail and Annapurna Base Camp route in Myagdi have emerged as newly popular trekking destinations, attracting adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. The influx of visitors has provided a much-needed relief to hotel and restaurant operators who had been struggling due to the off-season lull.
Tourism Revival After the Monsoon
Entrepreneurs say the post-monsoon tourism boom has revitalized the local economy, benefitting transport operators, hotels, guides, and local vendors. “With thousands of domestic tourists and a rising number of international trekkers, this is shaping up to be one of the best seasons for Myagdi and Mustang in recent years,” Acharya remarked.
