Since these early summits, over 4,500 ascents have been made to the top of Everest. Every year, more and more people flock the mountain, but not everyone goes there to climb. About 25,000 tourists visit the Everest area each year simply to experience the spectacular sights and culture. The increase in tourism and the number of climbers in recent decades has certainly helped the local economy. There are now schools, hospitals, and stores at the bottom of the mountain in Nepal. Everest has seen an explosion in popularity since the year 2000. The number of summit attempts has increased dramatically. This is partly because it's easier than ever to travel to Everest. Modern transportation allows tourists and adventure seekers to fly into nearby cities. New technologies and better climbing equipment have also played a role. Improvements to climbing gear have made climbing Everest safer in many ways. However, climbing Everest still requires serious training and preparation. Which detail from the excerpt reveals how tourism to Mount Everest affects the local economy?