High Entry Fee Hindering Tourism in Upper Mustang

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High Entry Fee Hindering Tourism in Upper Mustang

November 1: Road condition and high entry fee to Upper Mustang have posed a challenge to the tourism industry of this region. Although the country is gearing up for the Visit Nepal 2020 campaign, the number of visitors in Upper Mustang has not been able to increase, reported Rastriya Samachar Samitee (RSS).

According to the state-owned news agency, the locals have demanded operation of alternative trekking routes, publicity and reduction in entry fee to promote tourism in the highlands of Upper Mustang.

Foreign tourists have to form a group of at least two persons and pay US$ 500 to the Department of Immigration for a ten-day visit to Lo Manthang and Damodar Kunda in Upper Mustang. If the visitors say there for more than ten days, they need to furnish proper explanation and pay and additional US$ 50 per day, according to RSS.

Although tourism entrepreneurs have spent millions of rupees to set up well-facilitated hotels in this remote region, the high charge and lengthy process have endangered the tourism business in this area renowned for its natural landscape and beauty, says Ram Bahadur Gurung, a local hotel entrepreneur.

Altogether 50 resorts, hotels and lodges which can accommodate up to 500 tourists are in operation in Upper Mustang. The cost of establishing the hotels in this remote area is estimated to be between Rs 3 million to Rs 200 million. New hotels are being constructed. The number of domestic tourists rises during holidays and festivals but this trend is not regular.

The number of foreign tourists visiting Upper Mustang in 2016, 2017 and 2018 was respectively 3,918; 4,015 and 3,946, according to Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). The number of visitors this year is similar to last year, RSS reported.

Upper Mustang was opened for tourists for the first time in 1992, during which 483 visitors trekked to the region. The number of foreign tourists was around 800 annually until 2007 when the entry charge was US$ 70. According to RSS, the number of foreign visitors increased after the entry fee was reduced.

The major attractions of this place include artistic hills, desert landscape, houses made of mud, Himalayan lifestyle, old Tibetan culture, palaces of historic importance, caves, monasteries and Korala border.

 

 

 

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