1 sources · 3 articles

Started 1 week ago · Updated 1 week ago

Indian Religious Tourists Drive Tourism Growth in Muktinath; Flights Suspended

Photo · english.nepalnews.com

Religious tourism is experiencing a surge in Nepal's Muktinath region, primarily driven by Indian visitors, with improved road access making the journey easier. Concurrently, Buddha Air has suspended its Nepalgunj-Pokhara flight service for a month due to declining Indian religious tourists and rising fuel costs, impacting connectivity for travelers.

• The increase in religious tourists to Muktinath is attributed to favorable weather, easier road networks, and promotional religious circuits, boosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit.
• Buddha Air cited a decrease in Indian pilgrims during the 'Malmas' period and increased fuel prices as reasons for suspending the Nepalgunj-Pokhara flight, which had operated for nearly five years.
• The Nepal Embassy in New Delhi is inviting Indian social media influencers for a familiarization trip to promote Nepal's tourism sector, including spiritual destinations.
• The suspended Nepalgunj-Pokhara flight had significantly improved tourism connectivity to destinations like Bardiya National Park and Rara, and facilitated travel for Indian visitors from cities like Lucknow and Delhi.
• The suspension of the Nepalgunj-Pokhara flight has led to disappointment among passengers and tourism entrepreneurs, who will now rely on longer road journeys.