Kanchanpur. The number of foreign tourists entering Nepal through Gaddachauki, the western transit point in Kanchanpur, is increasing. According to the Immigration Office, Gaddachauki, the number of tourists entering Nepal through this border point has been increasing in the last few years.

According to the office, a total of 1,753 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the last fiscal year. Similarly, Rs 105,18,119 revenue has been collected, informed Information Nawaraj Adhikari Bhatta. According to him, 1,534 tourists have left the checkpoint.

According to the office, a total of 542 tourists visited Nepal through the checkpoint in 2022. Similarly, in 2023, 983 and in 2024 a total of 1,154 foreign tourists entered Nepal through this checkpoint, according to the immigration data.

Although there are many possibilities of tourism in the far-western region, tourists coming to Nepal from western border point go to Kathmandu, Pokhara and other cities.

Although Khaptad, Badimalika, Ramaroshan and Shuklaphanta National Park are major tourist destinations in the far-west region, the tourists visiting the border point go elsewhere due to lack of infrastructure and publicity, according to local tourism entrepreneurs.

“Gaddachauki is the main entry point for foreign tourists and it is close to the tourist cities of India. Tourism entrepreneur Jagadish Chandra Bhatta said, “Tourism information desk should be set up at the border point.” ’

He said that the information center should inform the tourists coming from here about the tourist destinations of Nepal including the Far-West. He said the private sector and the government should coordinate for tourism promotion.

Dinesh Malla, president of Kanchanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that although there is potential for tourism in the far-west region, the tourists go elsewhere for lack of adequate infrastructure development and publicity. “We lack easy infrastructure and other facilities to reach our attractive destinations. “We need to publicize the tourist destinations here and create an environment for tourists to stay here even for one night,” he said. ’