Mustang, known as the district beyond the Himalayas, witnessed an influx of over 400,000 tourists via road from April 14, 2023, to April 12, 2024, according to data compiled by the Ghasa police station, situated at the transit point to Myagdi-Mustang.
The statistics reveal that a total of 414,280 domestic and foreign tourists explored Mustang during this period, highlighting the region’s popularity as a prime tourism destination.
Deputy Superintendent Bhojraj Pandey, Chief of the District Police Office Mustang, shared detailed insights into the tourist demographics. He stated that 335,466 domestic visitors arrived in Mustang via road, comprising 220,724 males and 114,742 females.
Furthermore, Mustang welcomed 78,814 foreign tourists, with 72,756 hailing from SAARC countries and 6,058 from nations outside the SAARC bloc. Among the SAARC visitors, 38,821 were male and 33,935 were female, while 3,648 males and 2,410 females represented non-SAARC countries.
In addition to road travel, 11,484 tourists arrived in Mustang via air routes. Of these, 1,679 were domestic tourists, with 1,134 males and 545 females. Meanwhile, 8,055 visitors from SAARC nations and 1,750 from non-SAARC countries also chose air travel to reach Mustang, reflecting the region’s diverse appeal.
Mustang’s allure lies in its distinctive desert-like landscape, characterized by bare mountains, a Himalayan climate, rich culture and lifestyle, serene lakes, ancient monasteries, the revered Muktinath temple, and enigmatic caves.
Local tourism entrepreneurs noted a gradual increase in tourist footfall to religious and scenic sites within Mustang, including Muktinath, Jomsom, Kagbeni, Lo Manthang, Marpha, Thini, and Dhumba Lake, indicating growing interest in exploring this unique Himalayan gem.
19th Apr 2024
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