Kathmandu: As the Sagarmatha ascent season unfolds, the government has amassed over Rs 500 million in royalty fees, marking a substantial revenue milestone.

According to the Tourism Department, a total of Rs 505 million has been garnered from 352 individuals who secured climbing permits for Sagarmatha, the world's highest peak.

Rakesh Gurung, Director of the Adventure Tourism and Mountaineering Section at the Department, highlighted a significant surge in adventure tourism this year, contributing to the enhanced revenue collection. Gurung expressed confidence in meeting revenue targets similar to the previous year.

The updated statistics reveal that among the 352 mountaineers from 33 expeditions, 65 are women and 287 are men, representing a diverse array of climbers hailing from 55 countries.

Last year, a record-breaking 478 climbers were recorded, generating revenue of Rs 760 million. This year's collection has already reached Rs 505 million, with Gurung estimating the potential for an additional revenue influx ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 700 million.

Under the mountaineering regulations of 2059, foreign climbers are required to pay Rs 1.1 million for Sagarmatha ascents during the Spring season, while Nepali climbers contribute Rs 75,000 each. The substantial investment by foreign climbers, ranging from Rs 3 to 10 million per ascent, underscores the economic significance of mountain climbing to Nepal's tourism sector.

Mingma Sherpa, Chairman of Seven Summit Treks, emphasized Sagarmatha's unparalleled allure as a premier destination for climbers. He expressed optimism about the resurgence of mountain tourism, citing a surge in climbers witnessed by his company.

Apart from Sagarmatha, other prominent climbing destinations including Makalu, Annapurna, Kanchanjungha, Dhaulagiri, Lhotse Amadablam, and Jugal attract climbers from around the globe. Currently, Sherpa climbers are diligently preparing the trail and fixing ropes, ensuring safe passage up to the second base camp of Sagarmatha.