Tourism entrepreneurs eager to welcome Guterres to ABC

Gandaki: The United Nations Secretary-General is scheduled to make an official visit to Nepal, starting tomorrow, Sunday. This visit marks his first trip to Nepal since assuming office in 2017. During the visit, the UN Secretary-General is planning to visit the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), creating excitement among local tourism entrepreneurs.

Dilip Gurung, the secretary of the Chhomrong Tourism Committee, expressed his pride in the visit, saying, “It is undoubtedly a matter of great pride for all of us that a highly distinguished personality like the UN Secretary-General will be visiting the ABC. We anticipate that his visit will further enhance the global recognition and reputation of Nepal’s mountain tourism, including the Annapurna Base Camp and the entire region.”

The Annapurna Base Camp is currently witnessing a significant influx of domestic tourists during the Dashain holidays, with hotels fully occupied by local visitors.

According to Gurung, tourism in the ABC has faced challenges in recent years due to the 2015 earthquake, a severe storm a few years ago, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite these setbacks, the area is now experiencing a resurgence in tourism, with approximately 400 internal tourists visiting the Base Camp on a single day, as reported on Friday.

This region is a renowned tourist destination and can be reached via a three-day trek from Ghandruk in Kaski. Those seeking a more extended trek can choose the route from Naya Pul (New Bridge) along the Pokhara-Baglung Highway.

The Annapurna trekking route, which includes the majestic Annapurna Peak, the tenth highest mountain in the world, is considered one of the most spectacular trekking routes globally, according to Dharmaraj Panthi, the President of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) Gandaki.

Traditionally, this area welcomes tourists from various parts of the world, including Europe, the United States of America, Malaysia, China, and Korea. The successful ascent of Annapurna I by French mountaineer Maurice Herzog in 1950 significantly contributed to the global fascination with mountain tourism.

Situated at an elevation of 4,130 meters above sea level, the ABC gained further popularity for trekking tourism after Eric Shipton’s historic trek here in 1966.