Domestic tourist inflow increases in Rasuwa

Published On: August 27, 2019 07:15 AM NPT By: Him Nath Devkota

Tourists heading toward Gosaikunda. Photo: Him Nathdevkota

RASUWA, Aug 27: The influx of visitors in tourist destinations of Rasuwa district has increased of late. The number of tourists travelling to Langtang, Gosaikunda, Tamang Sampadamarg, and Rasuwagadhi has increased.

Only foreign tourists used to be seen in the areas few years ago, but recently Nepali tourists are seen in high numbers. According to Langtang National Park, 5,490 people have entered the park in the last one month.

The charge for Nepali tourists to enter the national park is Rs 100. Of the tourists who entered the park paying the charge, the majority came for a local fair. According to the statistics of the national park, 212 were foreigners and 3 were from SAARC nations in the last month. The number is inclusive of pilgrims heading towards the religious site, Gosaikunda.

A total of 5,559 Nepalis had visited the district in the last Fiscal Year 2018/19. A hotel entrepreneur, Nishan Gajurel said that the spending rate of Nepalis is growing in comparison to foreign tourists. "Domestic tourists don't bargain while booking hotel," he said, "But most of the foreigners are looking for heavy discounts."

The national park had started keeping record of tourists from October 15, 2018. Nepalis who enter the national park for study, observation and research purpose need to pay Rs 100 per person while porters need to pay Rs 25. The park had started keeping record after the charge to enter the premises came into effect.

The first choice of tourists entering the district is Langtang, followed by Gosaikunda. The third choice is Tamang Sampadamarg. Hotel entrepreneurs are excited with the increment in the number of domestic tourists. Entrepreneurs say that the spending rate of domestic tourists is more than foreigners.

The district used to see tourist arrivals only during the fair and festivals, however, owing to an increasing trend of internal tourism, people are visiting for sightseeing and vacation also.

Besides, visitors come to the district to study and observe extinct red panda, snow leopard and other animals. There are about 150 small and big hotels operating in the district.