A turning point in the Everest tourism industry

For the first time in decades, Nepal has begun gradually adopting unprecedented measures to reduce the number of climbers, increase safety standards, and protect the environment of Everest - the world's highest mountain range.

Nepal, with the Himalayas covering 15% of its land area, is home to eight of the world’s 14 peaks higher than 8,000 meters. The Nepal Economic Forum considers mountaineering an important business, providing much-needed income. In recent years, each climbing season from March to May, Nepal has earned nearly $6 million from climbing permit fees, of which about $5 million came from Everest, creating more than 500,000 jobs nationwide, according to Nikkei Asia.

A line of climbers on the south side of Mount Everest. Photo: ALPENGLOWEXPEDITIONS.COM

As the spring climbing season of 2025 comes to a close, Nepal has initiated a series of reforms to its Everest regulations that many experts see as a turning point. Under the Integrated Tourism Law, anyone who wants to climb Everest must prove that they have previously climbed a peak over 7,000m in Nepal, a requirement that experts say will help weed out those with money but not the skills. In addition to proving they are physically fit to climb at extreme altitudes, climbers are required to hire a Nepali guide.

Then, from the 2026 climbing season, the spring climbing fee (March-May), which has been at $11,000 for many years, will rise to $15,000, a 36% increase. Fall and winter/rainy season fees will also be adjusted accordingly. The salary protections, insurance, and priority use of local Nepali guides will strengthen the rights of the Sherpa minority – the best mountaineering guides known as “guardians of the Himalayas,” according to the Kathmandu Post. The increased fees better reflect the human, rescue, environmental, and infrastructure requirements the country must maintain to upgrade infrastructure in the Khumbu region.

Another serious problem is the environment, as the mountain is burdened with tons of waste after each climbing season. According to National Geographic, each climber produces an average of 8kg of waste, and most of this waste is left on the mountain. After the 2024 climbing season, the climbing team sponsored by the Nepalese Government cleaned up 11 tons of waste, including old tents, food packaging, gas tanks, oxygen tanks, tent backpacks, ropes, etc. Therefore, in addition to raising conditions and limiting the number of people, the Nepalese Government has also implemented a series of new measures to protect the environment around Everest. Accordingly, regulations require climbers to bring biodegradable bags to collect waste, including human waste, and bring the waste back down to the climbing camp (Everest Base Camp).

According to the International Mountaineering Association (UIAA), this reform is considered by international experts as a “brave and necessary step”. The government has set higher requirements to protect climbers, improve the rights of local workers and preserve the beauty of the Himalayan environment. Nikkei Asia newspaper in late July commented that Nepal is rebuilding Everest in a professional, responsible and sustainable manner.

HAPPINESS

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/buoc-ngoat-chuyen-huong-nganh-du-lich-everest-post806644.html