Shey-Phoksundo becoming preferred destination for domestic tourists

Dolpa, Nov 27: The country’s deepest lake, also known as the blue diamond, continues to attract domestic and foreign tourists despite constant fall in temperature here.

Chief Conservation Officer at Shey-Phoksundo National Park Nurendra Aryal informed that a total of 1,632 tourists, both domestic and foreign, visited the Phoksundo Lake area between mid-July and mid-October. Number of domestic tourists visiting the panoramic lake is higher in comparison to the foreign tourists.

In the last five months, 326 tourists from SAARC and other countries visited Shey-Phoksundo, generating revenue of Rs 1.053 million, he said. According to the Park, revenue of Rs 6.57 million has been collected from the sale of forest produce, eco-tourism and charges since the beginning of the current fiscal year till October.

Laxman Devkota, a local of Tripurasundari Municipality-1 said the number of domestic tourists has been increasing in the last few years as Dolpa is a place of beautiful religious and tourist destinations like Phoksundo Lake, Tripurasundari Temple, She-Gumba and Dho Tarap. He said the number of tourists would increase significantly if Nepalgunj-Dolpa flights are regularized, Bheri corridor is improved and hotels are properly arranged.

According to hoteliers of Dunai, the district headquarters, Dolpa will benefit from domestic tourists rather than foreigners in terms of trade and business promotion. Most of the tourists come here on motorcycles as they can easily reach Dunai by motorcycle and other vehicles through Nepalgunj-Surkhet-Jajarkot-Rukum route.