KATHMANDU: Tourists from 169 countries visited destinations within the Annapurna Conservation Area during the last fiscal year, with total foreign arrivals reaching a record 508,476.
According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), 384,145 visitors came from South Asian countries, while 124,331 were from other parts of the world.
Indian tourists accounted for the largest share of arrivals, with 375,797 visitors. China ranked second with 12,539 visitors, followed by the United States with 9,884. The United Kingdom contributed 9,859 tourists, followed by France with 7,939, Malaysia with 7,848, Germany with 7,634, Bangladesh with 7,448, Australia with 7,095 and Israel with 6,398 visitors.
ACAP Chief Dr. Rabin Kadariya said tourist arrivals to the conservation area nearly doubled compared to the previous fiscal year. In fiscal year 2023/24, the area welcomed 278,113 foreign visitors.
He said the latest figures mark the highest annual tourist arrivals ever recorded in the Annapurna Conservation Area.
Dr. Kadariya said the number of visitors from India and other South Asian countries increased by nearly 300 percent during the month of Jestha. He attributed the sharp rise to stronger promotion of destinations such as Pokhara and Muktinath in India, improved transport connectivity and increased exposure through social media.
He added that many Indian tourists visit Pokhara and nearby destinations during the summer to escape the heat. Hotel occupancy in Pokhara reached as high as 90 percent during Baisakh and Jestha, with around 40 percent of Indian visitors to Pokhara also travelling to Muktinath.
The Annapurna region is one of the world’s most popular trekking destinations. Major attractions include the Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghandruk, Tilicho Lake in Manang, Thorong La, Upper Mustang, the Muktinath area and Ghorepani in Myagdi.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project records only foreign visitors travelling to these destinations.
Spread over 7,600 square kilometres, the Annapurna Conservation Area is renowned for its natural beauty, rich biodiversity, Himalayan landscapes and unique cultural heritage. It covers 87 wards across 15 local governments in Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi and Mustang districts and is regarded as one of Nepal’s premier tourism destinations due to its attractions, tourism infrastructure, hospitality and visitor services.
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