Mount Everest Tourism: Past, Present and Future

Mount Everest tourism is booming beyond people’s expectations. It is one thing that the Solukhumbu region and Nepal are having financial gain and international recognition through tourism, but as the saying goes, every good thing brings along some disadvantages too.

In recent decades, Mount Everest and its major locations nearby have been going through a lot of ups and downs. With water contamination, solid waste, human excrement, and dead bodies accumulating on the mountain.

Between 2017 A.D. and 2022 A.D., more than 2,00,000 tourists have visited the Everest region as per The Himalayan Times, aiming for different treks like the Everest Three Pass trek, Gokyo Lakes Trek, Everest View Trek, etc.

These numbers increase with time, inviting more human waste, tangible waste like plastics, and others.

The effects are dire, taking a toll on the overall fragile ecosystem, livelihood, and tourism to some extent. In this article, we will briefly cover the past, present, and future of Mount Everest tourism.

Mount Everest Tourism Overview

The highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest, with an elevation of 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet), is located in northeastern Koshi province of Nepal.

The height of Mount Everest was calculated by an Indian mathematician, Radhanath Sikdar, in 1852 A.D., according to India Today.

One of the most iconic mountains in the world attracts nature enthusiasts and climbers from across the globe.

Mount Everest is called Sagarmatha, which means “Head of the sky” in Nepali, and Chomolungma in the Sherpa language (“Qomolangma” in Chinese), which means “goddess mother of the world.”

In recent decades, the Everest and the Everest region have been facing serious problems like those mentioned above. In order to keep the ecosystem healthy, significant steps are taken, let’s first understand the history of Everest throughout different eras.

Everest History Throughout the Decades

The history of Mount Everest is not only about climbing to the summit. It is the story of discovery, faith, adventure, tourism growth, and environmental concern.

1900s 

During this time, Mount Everest was unknown to the outside world. It used to look just like other mountains. However, for local communities in the Khumbu and Tibetan region, it was never ordinary.

The Sherpa people called it Chomolungma, meaning Mother Goddess of the World, and Nepalis called it Sagarmatha. Mountains were believed to be sacred, and climbing them wasn’t allowed. There was no tourism, no camps, no climbing routes during this time.

1921-1938 A.D

This is the time when foreign exploration started. British reconnaissance expeditions began surveying Everest from the north side through Tibet. Experts started analyzing possible routes for the summit.

Although they couldn’t find it, they gathered important geographical knowledge. Such expeditions laid the foundation for future Everest Climbing and tourism development.

1953 A.D

During this time, Mount Everest was summited for the first time in history by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. This feat drew worldwide attention from climbers and mountain enthusiasts. After this event, global interest in Everest grew rapidly, and Nepal slowly began opening its doors to international climbers.

1960s-70s

This was the decade when Nepal started recognizing the upside of tourism inflow. Trekking routes in the Everest region started developing, and tourism slowly started expanding in the Khumbu region.

In 1976, Sagarmatha National Park was established to protect the fragile nature and cultural heritage of the region. Small teahouses, or camps, started operating, and the Everest Base Camp trek also gained popularity.

1990s

This was the era when tourism started booming in full swing. International tourists started flocking to Nepal, and teahouse trekking became very popular among international travelers.

Tenzing Hillary Airport, built in 1964 A.D at Lukla, became the gateway for international tourists. Commercial expeditions also grew during this time, which made Everest climbing more accessible to paying clients.

2000s

The new era of climbing began in Nepal, and commercial expeditions expanded rapidly. More climbers attempted the summit each year. For rescue and tourism, helicopter services began in the Khumbu region.

Luxury lodges came into the picture along with traditional teahouses. Mobile networks and internet access improved, and this decade marked major improvements in terms of communication and accessibility.

2010s

During this time, the internet popularized the Nepali trekking and climbing landscape, and improved infrastructure, along with the overall development of climbing policies, attracted tourists, trekkers, climbers, and nature enthusiasts.

The sudden influx of a huge number of tourists caused overcrowding, and ultimately, it took a toll on the environment. Photos showing overcrowding near the summit raised global concern.

The issue of “Mount Everest Trashed by Tourism” caught global attention and became a widely discussed topic. That’s when cleanup campaigns were organized to remove garbage from higher camps and other locations.

Different policies regarding littering and waste management were introduced. Safety management and coordination also improved during this period.

2020s

This era brings breakthroughs in terms of technology and tourism management. The focus shifted toward sustainability and climate awareness.

The government introduced stricter waste deposit rules, like depositing USD 4,000, and the money is refunded when the person returns with eight kilograms (18 pounds of garbage, which is the average amount a single person produces during the climb.

A digital permit system, like a QR-coded trek card, also came into use in this period. Technology such as GPS tracking, Everest link, and satellite communication is now common in the Everest region.

This decade focuses on saving nature and improving safety standards, while also balancing adventures. 

Infrastructure and Route Development

Over the years, infrastructure and route development have played a major role in shaping climbing activities on Mount Everest.

There are several camps from base camp to camp IV, and the south base camp was first constructed in 1921 by mountaineer George Mallory.

Base camp serves as the main operational center. Camp I and Camp II are located above the Khumbu icefall and are used as acclimatization stops. Camp III is set on Lhotse face, while Camp IV at the south col becomes the final launching point for the summit push.

Local sherpa and other teams have improved research and experience, making climbing more systematic. A key role is played by icefall doctors. They fix ropes and ladders across the treacherous Khumbu icefall and other parts of the mountain each season. 

Also, several tourists who find trekking hard and climbing impossible usually book Everest Mountain flights. This mountain flight allows tourists to closely witness the Himalayas, Everest, and several Sherpa villages from above.

Mount Everest Tourism Facilities and Modernization in Khumbu

The Khumbu region has seen a big change in its tourism facilities over the years, especially with more people visiting Mount Everest. A long time ago, teahouses were very simple – they had basic rooms, shared toilets, and not many food options.

But as time went on, these lodges started to get better. Now, many teahouses have bathrooms attached to the rooms, hot showers, Wi-Fi, bakeries, and even fancy accommodation with heated rooms and nice dining areas.

This change has made a big difference in how tourists experience the region. The old, basic teahouses have been replaced with more comfortable and modern facilities, making it easier for people to visit and enjoy the beautiful Khumbu region.

The Everest region has seen a big change with the internet and mobile networks now available in many areas. These days, trekkers and climbers can get online with Wi-Fi in lots of villages, and even at Base Camp when it’s really busy. This has made communicating with others much quicker and more reliable than it used to be.

The way people travel has gotten better because of improved trail management and more helicopter access, which helps with rescues and tourism. This has changed the lives of local people, the infrastructure, and the economy in the Khumbu region, making it easier and more comfortable for people to visit Everest.

Safety, Rescue, and Management Systems

As Mount Everest tourism expands, safety, rescue, and management systems are also enhanced to minimize risks. The rescue teams are ready to carry out operations once they get a signal from the expedition teams.

Helicopter evacuations are carried out to save or take injured or sick trekkers to safety or a hospital from base camps or nearby locations. The survival rate has increased in recent decades as there is a faster response system and smooth coordination between guides, rescue teams, and hospitals. 

Safety regulations and climbing guidelines have also become stricter. Climbers must obtain permits, submit necessary documents, and follow route rules fixed each season. Authorities and expedition organizers emphasize proper acclimatization, weather monitoring, and experienced guides. 

Peak season on Everest is generally defined during pre-monsoon in spring and post-monsoon in autumn. Crowd management has become important due to summit traffic. There are also ongoing discussions about experience-based permit requirements to ensure that climbers are properly prepared before attempting the world’s highest peak.

The Future of Mount Everest Tourism

Mount Everest tourism is now moving toward a more responsible and sustainable direction. Mount Everest tourism now focuses on the following things.

Eco-Friendly Lodges and Renewable Energy Use

Teahouses and lodges in the Khumbu region are slowly transitioning to solar power and cleaner cooking methods. Solar panels are commonly used for lighting and charging. Some lodges are cutting back on the use of firewood to save trees.

Wastewater treatment, as well as better insulation systems, is improving, too. The hope for the future is to develop sustainable accommodation that takes pressure off the environment while giving comfort to trekkers.

Improved Rescue Coordination

Rescue efforts are becoming increasingly coordinated and technologically driven. There is more coordination in helicopter rescue services between trekking companies, local authorities, and Kathmandu hospitals. Weather prediction instruments and communication networks help decision-making in emergencies.

In the future, faster response systems and clearer rescue protocols will likely reduce confusion and increase survival chances in high-altitude emergencies.

GPS Tracking and Satellite Communication

These days, GPS receivers and satellite communication devices are on the rise for modern expeditions. These devices facilitate mapping where climbers move, particularly during summit pushes.

And GPS tracking can locate a climber in distress quickly, in case of emergencies. Satellite phones and internet systems also enable more effective coordination between Base Camp and rescue teams. This will likely become standard on future expeditions.

Experience-Based Permit Requirements

There have been increasing debates about making it mandatory for climbers to have previous high-altitude experience before giving them an Everest permit. The hope is to prevent accidents and delays caused by novice climbers.

Authorities hope to increase overall safety and decrease the amount of traffic at the top of the mountain by making sure that climbers have already done other 6000- or 7,000-meter peaks.