Solukhumbu: The Khumbu area of Solukhumbu, which was crowded with tourists some time ago, is now deserted. Airports, hotels, lodges, camping sites, squares, roadsides and scenic spots are deserted as the season draws to a close.
Yangji Sherpa, a local hotelier, said that even the hoteliers here, who were unable to provide services due to the arrival of many tourists at the same time in the middle of the tourist season, had free time. She said, “We are busy welcoming tourists during the season, that’s why we are going to relax and go for a walk now.”
Until a few weeks ago, the Khumbu area, which was full of foreign tourists, four-wheelers and porters, has become quiet. Lama Kaji Sherpa, a tourism entrepreneur, said that only a limited number of tourists can be found on the narrow roads which are blocked during the season. He says that the people of Khumbu are busy in prayers at the end of the season.
Due to the extreme pressure of the season, most of the businessmen and hotel operators go out to hang out after the season. As tourism is the main source of income for the citizens of this region, they have become leisurely after the end of the season. Working hard in the season and spending time in the off-season for fun, sightseeing, travel, etc. has become a characteristic of the citizens here.
According to locals, the tourist season in the Khumbu region, which starts from the second week of March, has been declining since the last week of May. According to Bhumiraj Upadhyaya, Chief Conservation Officer of Namche Everest National Park, the number of tourists entering Khumbu is negligible. According to the park office, the number of tourist arrivals has decreased and the staff of the park check post has also become leisurely.
