The Annapurna Circuit continues to attract a growing number of foreign tourists, with 10,613 visitors recorded in the first half of 2024, according to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Tourist Check and Information Center.
Bhupendra Gurung, the center’s in-charge, detailed that the visitors comprised 6,435 males and 4,178 females. France led the count with 1,074 tourists, Israel with 832, and Germany with 784. Despite the quieter monsoon season, the trail still sees an average of four to five foreign tourists daily.
Tourist numbers have shown a steady increase over recent years. In 2023, the Annapurna Circuit welcomed 21,247 foreign tourists, a significant rise from 15,900 in 2022. Historical data reflects a fluctuating yet upward trend with 36,647 tourists in 2019, 29,484 in 2018, and 21,068 in 2017.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp decline in visitors in 2020, but the recovery has been encouraging, providing much-needed employment for hundreds of locals. Despite global challenges, the Annapurna Circuit’s allure remains strong, continuing to boost the local economy and promote cultural exchange.
