Mountaineering revenue dips 7.35 per cent

"Permission sought to scale only 57 of 326 peaks above 6‚000m"

Mountaineering revenue in terms of US dollars dipped 7.35 per cent in 2013, as many foreign teams cancelled their trips during the autumn fearing political instability in the run up to November 19 Constituent Assembly election.

The government generated revenue of $3.91 million in 2013 by issuing permits to scale peaks under its purview, as against $4.22 million recorded in 2012, show data prepared by the Tourism Industry Division under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

However, depreciation in the value of the Nepali currency vis-a-vis the greenback last year cushioned some of the losses while calculating the income in Nepali rupees, with the mountaineering revenue witnessing a fall of a moderate 0.6 per cent to Rs 340.71 million in 2013.

“The income fell as foreign tour operators sold fewer mountaineering packages during the autumn season (September to November) prior to the CA election,” honorary member of the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation Ang Tshering Sherpa said.

Sherpa, also a former president of Nepal Mountaineering Association, further said foreign tour operators do not show interest in booking packages ahead of polls in many Asian countries fearing various forms of strikes and even violence that may leave their clients stranded for days.

As a result of this, only 298 expedition teams took government permission to scale various peaks across Nepal last year, as against 310 recorded in 2012. Every member of these teams pays a royalty ranging from $100 to $25,000 to climb mountains depending on their type and height.

Last year, 27 teams took permission to climb Mt Everest, generating revenue of Rs 274.28 million — up from Rs 269.03 million recorded in 2012. With this, the world’s tallest peak became the biggest income generator.

The second biggest revenue generating mountain in 2013 was Mt Lhotse (8,516m), which earned Rs 14.32 million. In 2012, the mountain had contributed Rs 11.04 million to the state coffers.

Close on the heels of Mt Lhotse was Mt Manaslu (8,163m), which earned Rs 14.32 million for the government last year. The income made by the mountain, however, was down 38 per cent compared to 2012.

Next in the list of biggest revenue generating mountains in 2013 was Mt Ama Dablam (6,812m), which earned Rs 9.45 million — up 36.79 per cent than in 2012. This was followed by Mt Himlung (7,126m), which contributed Rs 3.87 million to the state coffers last year — up a whopping 122 per cent.

Although the government has opened 326 peaks above 6,000 metres for expedition, most of the mountaineers flock only to limited peaks like these. Little wonder, mountaineers sought permission to scale only 57 peaks last year.

“Mountaineers gather around a limited number of peaks as profiles of many peaks have not been created. Also, lack of access roads to base camps and inability to launch campaigns to promote these peaks are other impediments,” says a latest MoCTCA report.

The report also warns that Nepal may lose foreign climbers to other neighbouring countries if the country continues to show indifference in promoting them, as countries like China, India and Pakistan have launched aggressive campaigns to increase flow of mountaineers.

Pakistan, for instance, has waived off royalties for mountaineers climbing peaks below 6,500 metres, says the report. Likewise, India in September offered a discount of 50 per cent on mountain climbing fee. “In this regard, the government must frame policies to gain a competitive edge,” the report says.

source: the himalayan times,23 jan 2014