Manang hoteliers suffer as tourist arrival decline

By Yadu Prasad Bhatta,Manang, Feb. 8: Hotel businessmen in Manang have been suffering due to the decline in tourist arrivals due to extreme cold. Dozens of hotel businesses operate around the Annapurna foot trail, targeting tourists coming to the Annapurna region. With the reduction in tourists, hotel businesses face problems as their daily income drops, leading to difficulties in sustaining their families.

Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, Chief of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in Manang, has informed that the number of foreign tourists arriving daily has plummeted from 300 to a mere dozen or even half a dozen.

He stated, “It is not precisely zero, but the influx of tourists has decreased due to the cold. However, it tends to gradually pick up after March. Additionally, tourists are also venturing to Thorang La Pass and Tilicho Lake.”

Thuten Lama, Ward Chairman of Nason Rural Municipality-5, who is also a hotelier, said that due to the absence of tourists, he had to shut down his hotel and roam around the neighboring district. He said, “Previously, there was snow, and tourists would visit to witness it. However, now that the snowfall has ceased, tourists mainly come to see Kalapatthar (dark rock). Numerous hotels have shut down. The hotel industry is not thriving enough to sustain everyone's livelihood.” Aait Bahadur Gurung, who operates a hotel at the entrance of the Annapurna foot trail, is facing considerable distress. He said that during the peak season, he typically earns Rs. 30,000 to 35,000 daily. However, with very few tourists in the area currently, he is deeply concerned about supporting his family without any income.

Bhupendra Gurung, in-charge of the ACAP Tourist Check and Information Centre in Dharapani, said that the number of tourists is rising as the weather clears up. However, there have been no tourists in the area for up to two weeks.

He informed that 13 foreign tourists entered Manang on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. He said that until summer starts, the number of tourists will decrease, leading to a drop in income for tourism businessmen, possibly reaching zero. More than 35,000 tourism professionals depend on this trail, with the tourism sector being the primary source of income for most of them.

Tourists visit Manang to admire the mountain scenery, experience the local customs of the people, and appreciate the natural beauty of the region.

The Annapurna Trail links five districts -- Lamjung, Manang, Kaski, Mustang, and Myagdi. The entrance to this trail, recognised as one of the top ten foot trails globally, is located in Lamjung's Besisahar. With the trail now deserted, not only are tourism professionals affected, but also hundreds of hotel employees, porters, and tourist guides are facing significant challenges.