MUSTANG, Sept 20: Tourism in Mustang has witnessed a slowdown in the aftermath of the floods that struck the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river system on August 26.
The District Police Office, Mustang said the district saw a significant decline in arrivals of both domestic and foreign tourists in the month of Bhadra (August 17 to September 16) in Mustang. The district welcomed a total of 29,274 fewer tourists in Bhadra compared to the corresponding period last year, representing a 47.78 percent drop from the previous month.
Chinese arrivals surpass Indian tourist numbers
The ongoing challenges posed by blocked roadways along the Kaligandaki Corridor due to flooding and river erosion have further worsened the situation. In the month of Saun, Mustang welcomed 61,263 tourists, including 30,655 from home, 31,575 from SAARC countries, and 193 from other nations, indicating hard times for local tourism industry.
However, a total of 31,989 tourists, including 16,503 domestic visitors; 15,138 from SAARC countries, and 348 from other countries in the month of Bhadra. The tourists' arrival has declined following the Rasuwa flood, with the number of domestic tourists dropping by 46.16 percent and arrivals from the SAARC region decreasing by 52.05 percent.
However, the number of tourists from other countries increased, with 348 tourists visiting the district this year compared to 193 in the previous season, marking an increase of 155. Overall, the District Police Office reported that 93,252 tourists have so far visited Mustang this year, including 47,158 domestic tourists, 46,713 from SAARC countries and 441 from other nationalities.
