MYAGDI, April 20: More than 31,000 foreign tourists visited Ghodepani-Poon Hill area of Annapurna rural municipality-6 in Myagdi district in 2080 BS.
According to the Tourist Police Post, Ghodepani, 31,439 tourists visited the area in a year. The Tourist Police Post keeps record of foreign tourists entering and leaving Ghodepani. However, the Post does not keep the record of domestic tourists visiting the area.
A total of 25,279 tourists entered Ghodepani-Poon Hill area while 6,160 tourists went other places via Ghodepani last year, said senior head constable at the Ghodepani Police Post, Tek Bahadur Sunari Magar.
The highest number of foreign tourists visited Ghodepani in the month of Chait, which is 5,849.
Similarly, 4,414 tourists entered Ghodepani-Poon Hill area in Baishakh, 1,281 in Jeth, 441 in Asar, 947 in Saun, 972 in Bhadau, 4,298 in Asoj, 4,357 in Kartik, 3,199 in Mangsir, 1,627 in Push, 1,577 in Magh and 2,477 in Falgun.
Likewise, 26,301 foreign tourists had visited Ghodepani in 2079 BS. Also Vice-Chairperson of Ghodepani Area Improvement Committee, a hotel entrepreneur Juli Thakuri Pun said the increasing number of tourists visiting Ghodepani area has raised hope among hotel entrepreneurs.
The arrival of domestic tourists has also increased due to favorable weather and school vacation, she added. Around 60,000-70,000 tourists used to visit Ghodepani annually before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tourists, who arrive to see the sunrise as well as panoramic view of Guranse jungle and mountains at Poon Hill located at Ghodepani. There are 27 small and big hotels at Ghodepani. Poon Hill lies at 3,210 meters above sea level.
A domestic tourist has to pay Rs 50 while foreign tourist has to pay Rs 150 to enter Poon Hill area. One can see the panoramic view of Dhaulagiri, Sisne, Gurja, Manapathi, Nilgiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and Manaslu mountains from Poon Hill.