Peak royalties. Nepalese authorities keep trying to spread expeditions both geographically and seasonally. “Keeping in mind that mountaineering tourism is the backbone of Nepal’s tourism,” a Ministry official stated on April 30, “to make royalty fees competitive with [those of] other, neighboring nations, to promote the mountains of backward regions, and to create an environment to operate season-based mountaineering activities throughout the year (Nepal for All Seasons), the cabinet has decided to: (1) completely waive for five years royalties for peaks in the third of the country west of the Dhaulagiri massif, and (2) give a 50% discount on royalties for teams climbing in the autumn (September to November) and 75% discount during summer (June to August) and winter (December to February).” Other adjustments in the fee structure also became effective at the end of April, and the government hoped the changes would “lead to a substantial increase in the number of climbers in the Nepalese mountaineering tourism sector.”

Elizabeth Hawley, AAC Honorary Member, Nepal