Solukhumbu – The Everest region saw an influx of 700 tourists in a single day, with 694 recorded on Monday alone, according to the Office of the Sagarmatha National Park in Namche.

Bibek Shrestha, a ranger at the office, reported that a sufficient hotel availability to accommodate the growing number of visitors. Of the 700 tourists, 608 were foreigners, and 86 were domestic travelers.

Temba Chhiri Sherpa, a Sagarmatha climber, informed that the onset of the Spring season has brought a surge in tourism, though finding good accommodation has become increasingly challenging.

Amrit Magar, in-charge of Tara Air in Lukla, shared that the clear weather has allowed for more flights to be added to Lukla, facilitating the influx of tourists. 'We’ve increased flights to accommodate the rising number of visitors to the district, home to the world’s highest peak,' he said, adding that hotel reservations are now at capacity.

Karma Sherma, senior vice chairman of the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal, expressed the satisfaction of tourism entrepreneurs, noting that the region is bustling after the pandemic severely impacted the tourism sector. The rise in tourists has also led to a boost in local employment opportunities. Hotels in Lukla and Namche are now fully booked, according to Sherpa.

Most of the tourists visiting the Sagarmatha National Park aim to contribute to the region’s tourism revenue. The park charges a fee of Rs 1,500 for visitors from SAARC nations, Rs 3,000 for foreigners from other countries, and Rs 100 for Nepali citizens.-RSS