Regional tourists contribute significantly to Nepal’s visitor base, accounting for about 41.1% of total arrivals in 2023, with Indian, Chinese, and Bangladeshi tourists accounting for 31.52%, 5.99%, and 3.59% of the total tourist arrivals.
The transformation of Mustang presents both a cautionary tale and a blueprint for future development in Nepal’s mountain regions and the region’s success will depend on striking a delicate balance: leveraging improved accessibility to promote sustainable tourism while preserving its unique cultural heritage.
In fact, by 2013, 51% of leisure travelers were already pursuing food-focused trips, according to American Culinary Traveler.