According to a recent report by Nepal's Gorkhapatra Daily, the latest data released by Nepal shows that the number of tourists visiting the Everest snow mountain area in the first month of the new fiscal year has decreased. Analysts believe this may be related to the Nepalese government's recent measures to strengthen the management of snow mountain tourism, but in the long run, it will promote the sustainable development of Nepal's snow mountain tourism.
July 15 to August 15 is the first month of Nepal’s new fiscal year. During that month, only 202 people visited Nepal’s snow mountain areas, compared to 360 visitors during the same period last year.
July 15 to August 15 is the first month of Nepal’s new fiscal year. During that month, only 202 people visited Nepal’s snow mountain areas, compared to 360 visitors during the same period last year.
Previously, data indicated that 78% of Nepal’s snow mountain-related tourism revenue came from Everest expeditions. Of the world’s 14 peaks above 8,000 meters, eight are located in Nepal or on the China-Nepal border, including all of the top ten highest peaks except for the world’s second and tenth highest. As a result, tourism activities such as enjoying snow mountain scenery or attempting climbs bring significant income to Nepal’s tourism industry every year. In 2012 alone, the Nepalese government earned approximately 344.78 million Nepalese rupees (about 28 million RMB) from climbers on various mountains. Among these, Mount Everest was the most popular. That year, Everest tourism generated 269.02 million Nepalese rupees (about 20 million RMB). Thus, Everest has become an invaluable tourism resource. Although large-scale climbing activities wind down after the March to May climbing season, tourism activities such as mountaineering and snow viewing at lower altitudes remain active. In Kathmandu’s famous tourist district—Thamel—almost every travel agency offers Everest climbing or snow viewing packages. Government statistics show that among the nearly one million tourists visiting Nepal each year, 17% come for mountaineering and 43% for leisure activities with snow mountain sightseeing as the main purpose.
However, the booming snow mountain tourism industry has also brought certain pressures on Nepal’s snow mountain management and environmental protection.
The Nepalese government implements a permit system for climbing Everest and other mountains above 3,000 meters. In 2013, the government issued about 315 climbing permits to foreign mountaineers. One permit does not correspond to one individual, but to a climbing team. Each tourist only needs to pay 20,000 to 30,000 USD, find a professional guide through a travel agency, and they can climb Everest. As more people attempt to climb Everest—especially during the peak climbing season—the mountain often becomes crowded and busy, making safety issues increasingly prominent. In recent years, there have been reports of climber fatalities almost every year. In April this year, news even broke of a conflict between three climbers and a Nepalese guide near Camp 2 at an altitude of 6,500 meters on the way to Everest, an incident dubbed the “highest-altitude conflict in the world.”
Relaxed climbing conditions have also led to many problems, such as environmental issues. Everest is littered with trash left behind by climbers. Not long ago, Nepalese media outlets also reported that the government had organized manpower to clean up trash on Everest. Everest has become the highest-altitude garbage dump in the world.
Therefore, strengthening the management of Everest summit activities has now become a top priority for the Nepalese government. According to reports, Nepalese officials said last month that for the first time next year, there will be resident staff stationed at the Everest summit base camp to coordinate operations, respond to emergencies, and enhance the management of summit activities by tightening certifications and stepping up environmental protection efforts.
This series of measures by the Nepalese government undoubtedly provides better safeguards for the long-term development of snow mountain tourism. Only through strict and effective management and respect for and protection of the environment can true sustainable development be achieved. Therefore, although the number of tourists visiting Nepal’s snow mountain areas in the first month of the new fiscal year has significantly decreased, the better development of snow mountain tourism in the future remains something to look forward to.