In the fiscal year 2079/080, a total of 71,707 foreign tourists visited Mustang within the span of 12 months. This represents a significant increase in tourist arrivals compared to the data before and after the COVID pandemic.
In the previous fiscal year (2078/079), from Saun (July) to Asar (June), there were a total of 38,896 foreign tourists who visited Mustang. This means there was a notable growth of 45.75% in foreign tourist arrivals in the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) jurisdiction, as reported by the ACAP office in Jomsom.
During the fiscal year 2079/080, 59,310 tourists from SAARC countries and 6,749 foreign tourists visited Mustang. In the previous year, 36,153 tourists from SAARC countries and 2,743 foreign tourists had visited the district.
Out of the total number of tourists in Mustang, 66,959 were foreign tourists who directly visited the Mustang region. If we consider those who trekked through the Round Annapurna Circuit Trail and stayed within Mustang, there were 5,648 foreign tourists. According to Ashok Suvedi, the chief of ACAP Jomsom office, the Annapurna Circuit Trail leading to Mustang saw 560 SAARC tourists and 5,888 foreign tourists.
The majority of SAARC tourists arrived during the month of Baisakh (April-May), while tourists from third countries mostly visited Mustang during Kartik (October-November). During the month of Baisakh, there were 14,745 SAARC tourists, and in Kartik, there were 1,392 foreign tourists in Mustang. The least number of tourists, both SAARC and foreign, were recorded during Magh (January-February), with zero SAARC tourists and only 56 foreign tourists visiting the region.
In conclusion, Mustang experienced a significant boost in foreign tourist arrivals during the fiscal year 2079/080, with a remarkable increase compared to the pre-COVID years and the previous fiscal year.
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