Manang: With the current weather conditions considered ideal for visiting the mountainous Manang district, there has been a notable increase in the number of tourists. The Annapurna Area Conservation (ACAP) Area Office reported that in the past six months, 9,752 foreign tourists have visited the area.

These incoming tourists explored both the Annapurna trail and the Larke pass in Narpabhumi, as mentioned by ACAP's chief, Dhak Bahadur Bhujel. Tourists usually reach their destinations in this region via Chungnurmi in Gorkha district.

Up to mid-October this year, 4,357 foreign tourists had entered the area. In more detail, 3,266 tourists visited the area in the Nepali month of Baisakh, 661 in Jestha, 259 in Asar, 296 in Shrawan, and 913 in Bhadra. Last year, a total of 1,072 tourists visited the area from the Nepali month of Shrawan to Mangsir.

There has been a significant increase in the number of tourists this year compared to the previous year, according to Bhujel. Tourism plays a critical role in this region, providing the main source of income and livelihood for the local people who are engaged in both agriculture and the hotel and tourism business.

Locals are known for welcoming tourists with locally made food items instead of imported goods, as Binod Gurung, President of the Tourism Entrepreneur Association, pointed out. He emphasized that this tourist season has witnessed a remarkable increase in visitors. Gurung further noted that the number of tourists, both domestic and foreign, has surged significantly, with many foreign tourists already reserving hotel rooms in advance. He urged prospective tourists to check the availability of accommodations, as rooms are often booked online, to ensure a convenient stay.