Inflow of tourist up in Mustang

GALESHWOR: The inflow of domestic and foreign tourists has gone up in the Himalayan district Mustang, with the fear of coronavirus infection receding of late. Tourism entrepreneurs are elated at the moment as around 3,000 tourists are entering Mustang and Lomanthang through land and air routes daily. Along with the massive influx of tourists, the landscape of the marvellous tourism hotspot has also changed. Jomsom Airport sources said daily 15 flights are taking place now in Mustang — the centre of attraction for domestic and foreign tourists. Likewise, there seems a long queue of surface transport means on the Beni-Jomsom road leading to Muktinath and Lomanthang. Tourism entrepreneurs said arrival of tourists via air and land routes has invariably upped in Mustang which saw almost zero mobility of tourists during a two-year hiatus following the Covid-19 pandemic. The number of visitors has increased as this is the tourist high season in Mustang and the caseload of coronavirus is also lowering due to the vaccination drive. With the advent of Chaite Dashain, there is a huge flow of people offering homage to their ancestors at Kagbeni. Dev Lal Poudel, a local of Harkapour, Gaindakot Municipality-12 said, "I found Mustang captivating more than expected. It was difficult to get a hotel room due to influx of tourists in the season." Likewise, people residing in different countries are also returning to their hometowns with the advent of cultural fair at Lomanthang in upper Mustang. Chief of Jomsom Airport Puskal Raj Sharma informed that now daily 15 flights are taking place after Mustang-Pokhara air service has resumed since March 6. Each flight has a capacity of 18 passengers. With this, over 250 people are entering Mustang via air route daily, he informed. More than 2,000 tourists are entering Mustang on tourist bus, jeep and motorbike via the surface route daily, the district police office sources said. Hotel entrepreneurs said the tourism industry which was almost in moribund state is now revitalising with the rise in the arrival of tourists. READ ALSO:

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