Tourist arrivals in the Annapurna Conservation Area have increased significantly, with the region recording a new high of 508,476 foreign visitors during the fiscal year 2082/83. According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the number of foreign tourists visiting the region more than doubled compared to the previous fiscal year. In FY 2081/82, a total of 278,113 foreign tourists had visited the Annapurna region.
Indian Tourists Drive Record Growth
ACAP Project Chief Dr. Rabin Kadariya said the region recorded a new record in tourist arrivals during the last fiscal year. Of the total visitors, Indian tourists accounted for the largest share, with 375,797 visitors. Chinese tourists ranked second with 12,539 visitors, while 9,884 tourists from the United States ranked third. According to ACAP data, tourists from 169 countries visited the Annapurna Conservation Area during the fiscal year. Of the total visitors, 384,145 were from South Asian countries, while 124,331 came from other countries.
South Asian Tourist Arrivals Surge Nearly 300 Percent
Dr. Kadariya said the number of tourists from India and other South Asian countries increased by nearly 300 percent in the month of Jestha. “This is the first time that Indian tourists have visited the Annapurna region in such a large number,” Dr. Kadariya said.
He attributed the growth to the promotion of destinations such as Pokhara and Muktinath in India, improved transportation facilities, and the growing promotion of Nepal’s tourism destinations through social media. Indian tourists have increasingly been visiting Pokhara and surrounding destinations during the summer season to escape the heat in their home country.
Pokhara Hotels Reach 90 Percent Occupancy
The increase in Indian tourist arrivals has also contributed to higher hotel occupancy in Pokhara, Nepal’s tourism capital. Hotel occupancy reached as high as 90 percent during Baisakh and Jestha, before the onset of the monsoon season. According to Dr. Kadariya, the number of Indian tourists visiting Pokhara generally increases during the period before the monsoon. Around 40 percent of Indian tourists visiting Pokhara travel onward to Muktinath for pilgrimage. Meanwhile, international tourists visiting Nepal for trekking also spend time in Pokhara before and after travelling to different destinations within the Annapurna region.
World-Famous Trekking Destinations Attract International Visitors
The Annapurna region is regarded as one of the world’s leading trekking destinations. Tourists travelling along the Annapurna Circuit and other trekking routes visit several renowned destinations, including Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghandruk, Tilicho Lake in Manang, Thorong La Pass, Upper Mustang, the Muktinath region, and Ghorepani in Myagdi. ACAP maintains records of foreign tourists visiting destinations within the conservation area, according to Dr. Kadariya.
Annapurna Conservation Area Spans 7,600 Square Kilometres
Spread across approximately 7,600 square kilometres, the Annapurna Conservation Area is renowned for its natural beauty, rich biodiversity, Himalayan lifestyle, and diverse cultural heritage. The conservation area covers 87 wards across 15 local levels in the districts of Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi, and Mustang.
With its diverse trekking routes, attractive destinations, tourism-friendly infrastructure, warm hospitality, and expanding services, the Annapurna Circuit is considered one of the best trekking destinations in the world. Travellers can undertake short-, medium-, and long-distance treks to different parts of the Annapurna region through routes connecting Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi, and Mustang. The continued growth in tourist arrivals highlights the region’s strong potential for further development of trekking, pilgrimage, nature, and community-based tourism.
