The flow of tourists has increased by almost 50 percent as compared to the last year, according to Om Bahadur Pun, president of Hotel Entrepreneurs´ Association of Ghorepani.[break]
“Last year, we were getting about 200 trekkers per day. But this year, the number has increased to 300 a day,” Pun added.
Most of the trekkers visiting the Ghorepani and Pun Hill are from US, Germany, Italy, China, Belgium, Israel and India.
Situated at the altitude of 3,210 meters above sea level, trekkers can enjoy breathtaking view of over a dozen mountains like Machapuchhre and Annapurna and can enjoy sunrise from Ghorepani. The beautiful Magar village has 20 hotels.
As Nepal Tourism Year 2011 is beginning after a couple of months, local hoteliers are encouraged with the emphatic rise in the number of trekkers visiting the area.
“There has been unprecedented rise in the number of trekkers coming to Ghorepani this season,” said Bhim Pun, manager of Hotel Hungry Eye. Pun informed Republica that he was planning to add more rooms to accommodate more trekkers in his hotel.
The locals have also made an 18-meter tall tower at Pun Hill to make it easier for the trekkers to enjoy mountain views.
Meanwhile, security personnel have tightened security along the Annapurna trekking route after a foreign trekker was looted last week.
“We have deployed policemen at different places to ensure safety of trekkers visiting the area,” said Tek Bahadur Roka, Assistant Sub Inspector at Area Police Office, Ghorepani.
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