The introduction of a two-day public holiday at the weekend has contributed to a rise in the number of domestic and international tourists visiting major tourist destinations in Chitwan. Tourism entrepreneurs in the district have expressed optimism as tourist arrivals have continued to increase despite the ongoing monsoon season. Business operators in Sauraha, Patihani, Jagatpur and Meghauli have reported higher visitor numbers compared with the same period in previous years. According to tourism entrepreneurs, the increase has been driven not only by domestic travellers but also by a notable rise in visitors from China and India.
Hotel Occupancy Reaches Around 50 Percent
Mahesh Khanal, general secretary of the Regional Hotel Association Chitwan, said hotel occupancy during the monsoon season had reached around 50 percent this year. He said tourist activity during the rainy season generally accounts for only around 30 percent of the level recorded during the peak season. However, the introduction of a two-day weekend holiday has helped stimulate domestic tourism.
According to Khanal, the number of domestic tourists has increased by around 25 percent compared with the same period last year following the implementation of the two-day public holiday system. The additional holidays in schools and colleges have also contributed to increased movement of domestic tourists, he said.
Indian Tourist Arrivals Also on the Rise
Khanal said the number of Indian tourists visiting Chitwan had also been increasing. However, he noted that inadequate road infrastructure had prevented tourist arrivals from reaching their full potential. Some domestic and international tourists who wanted to visit Chitwan have reportedly chosen other destinations because of difficult road conditions. According to Khanal, the arrival of Indian tourists has been particularly strong in hill destinations such as Pokhara. He said improvements in roads and other infrastructure could help attract significantly more visitors to Chitwan.
Sauraha Expands Monsoon Tourism Promotion
Until a few years ago, some hotels in Sauraha used to close during the monsoon season because of low tourist demand. However, the situation has gradually changed as the hotel industry has expanded and tourism businesses have begun promoting Sauraha as a year-round destination. Hotels and tourism entrepreneurs have increasingly introduced marketing campaigns and special promotional activities aimed at attracting visitors during the rainy season.
Suman Ghimire, former president of the Regional Hotel Association Chitwan and a central member of the Hotel Association Nepal, said the two-day public holiday had directly benefited the tourism sector. According to Ghimire, although tourist movement may be relatively low on one of the two holidays, the other day generally sees a significant increase in tourist arrivals.
Nepal Gains Popularity Among Indian Travellers
Ghimire said tourism entrepreneurs in Kolkata had indicated during his recent visit to India that Nepal was increasingly being viewed as an attractive destination this year. He attributed the growing interest among Indian travellers to several factors, including India’s policies aimed at increasing foreign exchange reserves, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has reduced the attractiveness of some alternative destinations, and tighter visa procedures in Thailand.
These developments have encouraged more Indian tourists to consider Nepal, and the impact has also been felt in Sauraha, he said. Ghimire added that improvements in roads and other physical infrastructure would enable Chitwan to attract even more tourists.
Tourist Arrivals Increase at Other Destinations
The impact of the two-day public holiday has also been observed in other tourist destinations across Chitwan. Deepak Bhattarai, former president of the Regional Hotel Association Chitwan, said tourist arrivals had increased compared with previous years, particularly due to the additional public holiday. Similarly, Ganesh Paudel, operator of Hotel Jungle Villa in Patihani, said tourist numbers had increased this year compared with last year. He identified the two-day holiday as one of the major factors behind the growth.
Chitwan Can Accommodate 10,000 Tourists Daily
Sauraha currently has 141 hotels, while Patihani, Jagatpur and Meghauli in western Chitwan also have a growing number of well-equipped hotels and tourism facilities. Together, these destinations have the capacity to serve around 10,000 tourists daily, according to tourism entrepreneurs. The expansion of accommodation facilities has strengthened Chitwan’s capacity to accommodate growing numbers of domestic and international visitors throughout the year.
Wildlife Tourism Remains Chitwan’s Major Attraction
Chitwan continues to attract tourists primarily because of its rich wildlife and natural attractions. Domestic and foreign visitors travel to the district to observe wildlife, including the one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tiger, in Chitwan National Park and surrounding community forests.
Popular tourism activities include jeep safaris, elephant safaris and boating, which continue to attract visitors throughout the year. With the rise in domestic travel following the introduction of the two-day weekend holiday, increasing numbers of tourists are now visiting Chitwan even during the monsoon season.
