Mustang District Sees Record Tourist Influx in Fiscal Year 2023/24

In the fiscal year 2023/24, Mustang District welcomed a record 427,271 tourists, marking a significant increase from the previous year. The Beni-Jomsom road served as the main entry route for these visitors, facilitating access to various attractions in Mustang.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhoj Raj Pandey of the District Police Office, Mustang, the total number of tourists included 318,814 domestic visitors, 99,276 tourists from SAARC countries, and 9,171 from other countries. These tourists arrived in 74,374 vehicles, highlighting the popularity of Mustang as a travel destination.

The previous fiscal year, 2022/23, saw 379,767 tourists visiting Mustang, with 303,800 domestic tourists and 75,967 foreign tourists arriving in 62,340 vehicles. The increase of 47,504 tourists this year underscores the growing appeal of the district.

Krishna Prasad Subedi, a priest at the Muktinath Temple, attributes this rise to improved road and transport facilities, effective publicity and digital marketing, the construction of modern hotels, and the inclusion of the Annapurna Circuit Trek among the world's top ten destinations by a renowned media outlet. The district's natural and cultural attractions, including mountains, lakes, monasteries, the Muktinath Temple, caves, and the unique local culture and lifestyle, continue to draw visitors.

Despite the overall increase, Rinjin Gurung, Chairperson of Baragung Muktichhetra Rural Municipality, noted a decline in tourists from non-SAARC countries. He suggested that blacktopping the Beni-Jomsom road could further boost tourist arrivals.

Popular tourist and religious sites in Mustang include Muktinath, Jomsom, Kagbeni, Lomanthang, Marpha, Thini, and Dhumba Lake, all of which contribute to the district's rich tourism appeal.