Phudoma Sherpa, who lives in Khumjung village of Khumbu Pasanglhamu rural municipality-4, is feeling lonely this winter. She mentioned that while tourist numbers were normal in previous years, this winter is looking gloomy. The Sagarmatha National Park Office in Namche also confirmed a 30 percent decrease in tourist visits to the Sagarmatha region this year. Last year, 1,920 tourists visited Khumbu, but this year, only 1,329 came. The colder weather is cited as the reason for the decline.
In the usual six-month tourist season, the peak times are during the Nepali months of Asoj, Kartik, and Mangsir. Normally, up to 1,000 tourists visit Khumbu daily during the peak season, but currently, there are only five to seven tourists. Local tourism entrepreneurs are currently free, and even locals have left their villages to avoid the cold. Popular places like Lukla, Namche, and Khumjung are now quiet with limited movement of people.
Many people have gone down the hills to warmer places, and public offices are also seeing very few visitors. During the winter, people from Khumbu often stay in Kathmandu or even travel to warmer destinations like Bodhgaya, India.
Also Read: https://whatthenepal.com/2024/01/23/jaladevi-simsaar-park-a-new-project-in-muga-village/
