Tourist arrivals up at Kanchanjungha base camp

PHUNGLING (TAPLEJUNG),  OCTOBER  5: The Kanchenjunga region has witnessed a surge in both domestic and international tourist arrivals, making the base camp livelier. On Friday alone, 65 foreign tourists departed for the base camp. According to Tasi Tenzing, a tourism assistant at the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council office in Ghunsa, the visitors hailed from Spain, France, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Romania, the US, Poland, and India.

The increased number of tourists has brought enthusiasm among tourism professionals and local business owners. Pema Sherpa, a hotelier at the Kanchenjunga entry point in Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-6, mentioned that the recent rise in visitors has led to the reopening of several hotels that had previously closed.

Domestic tourists from cities like Biratnagar, Dharan, and Damak have also started visiting the Kanchenjunga region. Tourism is the main source of income for residents of Kyapla, Phale, Ghunsa, Khabajen, and Lonak in Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-6.

According to statistics from the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council, 52 hotels are currently operating along the route to the base camp. Among them is the Singinamjong Hotel, a luxury hotel built with an investment of over 70 million rupees, located in Gapla of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-6. The use of local products in these hotels is also contributing to the local economy.

Meanwhile, a tourist assistant was killed on the way to the Kanchenjunga base camp after being struck by a falling rock. Tika Bahadur Rai, a resident of Silichong Rural Municipality-5 in Sankhuwasabha, died due to a landslide at Ilifok near Japantar in Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-6, according to the District Police Office.

Police have been unable to retrieve the body due to ongoing landslides. However, the other members of the team are reported to be safe.