The 19th Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival–2082 is scheduled to take place from Poush 11 to 13 in Sauraha, Chitwan. The festival is organized by the Regional Hotel Association Nepal, Chitwan, in collaboration with United Elephant Operation Cooperative Limited. The event will be hosted under the patronage of Ratnanagar Municipality, with the inauguration ceremony to be conducted by the Chief Minister of Bagmati Province, Indra Baniya.
Promoting Sustainable Tourism and Conservation Awareness
According to the organizers, the festival aims to promote tourism in Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enhance awareness about human-wildlife coexistence, and support sustainable tourism development. First organized in 1997, the festival has played a significant role in establishing Chitwan as both a national and international tourist destination.
During a press conference held in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Senior Director of Nepal Tourism Board, Hikmat Singh Air, extended his best wishes for the festival and highlighted the NTB’s continuous support for Chitwan’s tourism promotion. “The Elephant Festival is highly effective in showcasing Chitwan nationally and internationally, boosting domestic tourism, and promoting destination branding. This festival plays a crucial role in elevating Nepal’s tourism industry,” he said.
Sajan Shakya, General Secretary of the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), highlighted the importance of the festival in supporting local hospitality businesses and enhancing visitor experiences. He stressed that collaboration among hotels, tourism stakeholders, and local communities is crucial to ensuring the festival’s success. Shakya further emphasized that government support plays a key role in maximizing the festival’s impact. He urged authorities to improve flight connectivity to major tourist destinations and enhance road infrastructure, ensuring easier access for both domestic and international visitors. By facilitating smoother travel and transport, the government can significantly boost tourist inflow, thereby contributing to the overall growth of the local tourism sector.
Ensuring Elephant Welfare and International Standards
Festival organizers emphasized that the safety and welfare of these animals will be the top priority. Strict measures will be implemented to prevent any form of cruelty, including regular health monitoring by veterinarians, participation only by trained mahouts, and mandatory health checks. The festival activities will focus on human-elephant harmony, culture, and tradition, rather than competitive displays.
Om Prakash Pandey, President of the Regional Hotel Association Nepal, Chitwan, emphasized the festival’s economic impact, noting that special arrangements will provide up to 10% discounts on food and accommodation at Sauraha hotels and restaurants during the event. He added that tourist arrivals typically increase by 25–30% annually during the festival period, benefitting the entire local economy.
Approximately 80 elephants are expected to participate in the festival. Major attractions will include elephant parades, cultural tableaux, elephant decoration displays, feeding programs, health camps, elephant-friendly games, local sports competitions, safari tourism promotion programs, and interactive sessions on human-wildlife coexistence.
Supporting Local Art, Culture, and Entrepreneurship
In addition to tourism promotion, the festival will highlight local art, culture, language, and traditions. It will also support women entrepreneurs and the marketing of local agricultural products. Organizers plan to leverage digital technologies for promotion and build environmentally friendly structures and exhibition stalls.
During the festival, hotels and restaurants in Sauraha will offer up to 10% discounts on food and accommodation, attracting both domestic and international tourists. Organizers reported that the festival typically results in a 25–30% increase in tourist arrivals each year, contributing significantly to the local economy and tourism sector.
