Number of Indian tourists visiting Mustang doubles

Baglung: With the onset of summer, the number of Indian tourists arriving Mustang has increased drastically. Indian tourists visit the region during this time of the year to pay homage to Muktinath, view mysterious landscape and mountain ranges, and escape the scorching heat in India.

According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Mustang, around 200 Indian tourists are arriving in the region every day through air and land routes, which is double than that of last year.

“Last year, around 100 Indian tourists used to visit this region per day at this time of the year,” said Santosh Sherchan, chief of the ACAP Mustang.

Most of the Indians visiting the region are Hindus. Indian travel agencies like Avaya Travel bring Indian tourists to the region on package tours that include trips to Manakamana, Pokhara and Muktinath.

Many tourists also visit the region to learn more about biodiversity, cultural diversity, archaeological sites and spectacular mountain ranges of the region.

Mustang is well known for its biodiversity, spectacular scenery, the world´s deepest Kali Gandaki gorge and landscapes.

Indian tourists visiting the region, however, spend only a day or two in the region.

“Though Indian tourists, who come to pay homage to Muktinath, stay for a very short period of time, they definitely make contribution our business,” said Aatma Tulachan, a manager of Himalaya Hotel.

According to transport entrepreneurs of Myagdi, number of tourists visiting Jomsom from Pokhara via air has increased lately.

The number of tourists traveling by plane went up after automobile drivers started charging exorbitant amount to ferry tourists from Ghasa to Mustang and the Trekking Association of Nepal (TAN) started slapping levy on tourists.

“As the TAN started charging Rs 500 as excise duty and drivers started taking double fare, Indian tourists started traveling by air,” said Mohan KC, vice president of Myagdi Bus and Jeep Entrepreneurs Committee. He said that air fare is cheaper than traveling by bus and urged the TAN and transport entrepreneurs of Mustang to ponder on the issue.

KC said air fare from Pokhara to Jomsom stands at Rs 2,250, while tourists traveling by road end up paying around Rs 2,500 per person.

Besides, Indian tourists have started bringing their own vehicles and are relying less on public vehicles operated in the region.

Everyday around 8 to 10 vehicles with Indian number plates leave for Mustang from Pokhara. “This has affected our business,” said Jayandra Lal Thakali, president of Mustang Jeep Entrepreneurs Committee.

source: republica,2 may 2013