The Parbat district has seen a significant increase in both domestic and international tourists following the Dashain festival, thanks to the expansion of adventurous tourism infrastructure. As public holidays are increasingly being used for recreational travel, a noticeable rise in tourist activity was observed from Sunday, immediately after Dashain celebrations.
One of the main attractions drawing tourists to the district’s headquarters, Kusma, is the presence of several world-class adventurous activities. These include the world’s second-highest bungee jump, the second-longest Superman-style zipline, and Nepal’s longest suspension bridges. These unique offerings have made Kusma a growing destination for adventure tourism.
The festival season of Dashain and Tihar has brought an influx of visitors to Parbat. Many Nepalese have started utilizing public holidays for travel and leisure. Additionally, the onset of the winter season has further increased the number of tourists, with thousands of domestic travelers arriving daily in Kusma.
Hotel owner Suresh KC from Hotel Dragon mentioned that, in previous years, Kusma’s tourist spots were mostly visited by domestic tourists. However, there has been a recent surge in international visitors. This increase in tourism has resulted in fully booked hotels in the Kusma area, and the growing tourism infrastructure is further boosting hotel development in the region.
According to tourism entrepreneur Krishna Prasad Shrestha, tourists heading to Mustang, Upper Mustang, and the Korla border pass have contributed to the growing vibrancy in Kusma. Many tourists choose to stay in the town during their journey to and from these areas, often booking their accommodation in advance.
Shrestha added that educational and observational tours by institutions and cooperatives from various parts of Nepal, such as Chitwan, Biratnagar, Hetauda, Dolakha, Nepalgunj, Bardiya, Dang, Butwal, and Kapilvastu, have been on the rise. Some groups opt to stay in Parbat, while others travel towards Baglung and Myagdi.
Tourism business owners have reported high demand for Kusma’s adventure activities. According to Sunil Singh Baniya, a local hotel entrepreneur, hotels in Kusma were fully booked immediately after Dashain. Tickets for the bungee jump and zipline have been sold out for the past week. While Fridays, Saturdays, and public holidays typically see a higher influx of tourists, the extended government holidays this season have resulted in near-constant crowds.
Hotelier Raju Karki also noted that this year, the number of international tourists has notably increased. On average, over 100 visitors participate in the bungee jump and swing activities daily, while others engage in rock climbing, cycling, and local sightseeing tours.
The continuous rise in both domestic and international tourists highlights the growing prominence of Kusma as a hub for adventure tourism, helping boost the region’s economic prospects.
Source: RSS
