Gandaki, July 21: Tourists from 169 countries visited various destinations in the Annapurna Conservation Area in the last fiscal year.
During that period, a total of 508,476 foreign tourists visited this area. Among them, 384,145 were from South Asian countries and 124,331 from other countries.
Indians accounted for the highest number of tourists visiting the Annapurna area last fiscal year from July 17, 2025 to July 16, 2026. The area received 375,797 Indian tourists. Coming in second were 12,539 Chinese tourists, and third were 9,884 Americans.
Similarly, 9,859 tourists from the UK, 7,939 from France, 7,848 from Malaysia, 7,634 from Germany, 7,448 from Bangladesh, 7,095 from Australia, and 6,398 from Israel have visited this area in the last fiscal year.
Dr. Rabin Kadariya, the Head of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, said that more than double the number of foreign tourists visited here last fiscal year compared to FY 2081/82.
According to him, 278,113 people visited the Annapurna area in FY 2081/82.
Dr. Kadariya said that the number of tourists from South Asian countries, including India, increased by nearly three hundred percent in Jeth month (May15 to June 14). This is the first time so many Indian tourists have come.
The increase in Indian tourists is due to the promotion of destinations in this area like Pokhara and Muktinath, easy transportation, and publicity through social media.
During this season, Indian tourists have been coming to Pokhara and nearby destinations to escape the heat. In the months of Baisakh–Jestha, hotel occupancy in Pokhara, the tourism capital, had reached up to 90 percent. Among the Indian tourists coming to Pokhara, about 40 percent visit Muktinath, Dr. Kadariya said.
The Annapurna region is considered a world-famous destination for trekking tourism. Through the Annapurna Circuit trekking route, tourists reach destinations like the Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghorepani, Tilicho Lake in Manang, Thorong La Pass, Upper Mustang, Muktinath area, and Ghodepani in Myagdi, among others.
The Annapurna Conservation Area, which spreads over 7,600 square kilometers, is famous for its natural beauty, biodiversity, Himalayan lifestyle, culture, and more.
It includes 87 wards from 15 local units in Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi, and Mustang districts. This area is considered one of the best tourism destinations for trekking and exploration thanks to its attractive destinations, tourism-friendly infrastructure, hospitality, and service facilities.
