Last year, this time, Sauraha was bustling with tourists, and hotels had good occupancy rates. However, this year, things are different. The lack of Chinese tourists has significantly affected tourism activities. In addition, there has been a noticeable drop in tourists from India and other third countries, with domestic tourist numbers also lower than expected.
Dipak Bhattarai, operator of Chitwan Forest Resort, mentioned that last year, 80% of his hotel guests were Chinese tourists, but this year, it has dropped to less than 40%. He speculated that Nepali tourists have been visiting other destinations like Manang, Mustang, and Rara instead of Sauraha.
Prakash Neupane, General Manager of Siddhartha Vilasa Banbas, also noted that Chinese tourists, once a prominent group, have been missing this year. He added that this year, more Chinese tourists went to Kathmandu for Holi celebrations, but didn’t visit Sauraha.
According to Gunraj Thapaliya, General Secretary of the Regional Hotel Association, the number of tourists visiting Sauraha has decreased by more than half compared to previous years. He believes the ongoing road construction projects, like the Muglin-Narayanghat and Pokhara roads, might be contributing factors.
Suman Ghimire, owner of Jungle Safari Lodge, pointed out that while Chinese tourists had hopes of visiting Nepal during the “Visit Nepal Year,” they didn’t show up in large numbers. He expressed that Nepal’s tourism destinations haven’t been able to attract tourists effectively.
There has also been a decline in the number of tourists visiting attractions like elephant rides, with fewer visitors opting for jungle safaris. Many hotel owners are facing challenges due to reduced tourism, and some hotels are struggling with financial difficulties.
According to Ganga Giri, President of the Chitwan Regional Hotel Association, Chinese tourists once filled hotels that catered to them, but this year, only about 150-200 Chinese tourists have visited. The situation is similar for Indian tourists, with only about 150 arriving instead of the usual 1,000. Due to the reduced number of tourists, many hotels are operating at a fraction of their capacity, and some face financial strain, with several hotels already facing foreclosure.
