On the eve of the New Year, the tourist town of Bandipur has seen a surge in domestic tourists. Known as the “Queen of Hills,” Bandipur has become a popular destination for internal tourists to celebrate the New Year.
With the ongoing “Visit Bandipur Year 2025,” the rise in tourist activity has excited local tourism entrepreneurs. Chairman of the Bandipur Tourism Development Committee, Kisan Pradhan, said that tourist arrivals have increased during the New Year, boosting local businesses.
Previously, around 1,000 domestic and international tourists visited daily, but in the past two days, that number has risen to 2,000 per day. “Our hotels can accommodate 2,000 guests, and all hotels have been fully booked for the past two days,” he stated.
Noting the doubling of tourist arrivals for the New Year, Pradhan added that hotels are currently offering a 15% discount. He also mentioned that the local food festival organized for the New Year has contributed to the increase in visitors. “Since Saturday, tourist activity has risen. Unlike other times when tourists would just visit and leave, more are choosing to stay overnight,” he said.
According to him, over 2,000 tourists have arrived targeting the New Year, with 80% staying overnight. Of the total 210,000 tourists who visited this year, 60,000 were international and 150,000 domestic, as reported by the Visit Bandipur Year Secretariat.
Dilkumari Thapa of the Bandipur Community Homestay said domestic tourist arrivals have increased with the New Year. “Since families prefer the homely environment of homestays, many domestic tourists choose to stay in them,” she shared.
There are currently 77 small and large hotels affiliated with the local hotel association. A local food festival featuring ethnic cuisine began on Saturday, with an official inauguration today by Gandaki Province Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey. The festival will run until Baisakh 2 (mid-April).
To entertain domestic and international tourists, a cultural festival is also being held, said Visit Year coordinator Baish Bahadur Gurung. “We are working to promote tourism in this area through the declaration of Visit Year 2025, hosting a variety of programs throughout the year,” he added.
The food festival includes traditional dances from various ethnic communities such as Magar, Newar, Gurung, and Brahmin, said Raju Baniya, publicity coordinator of Visit Bandipur Year.
According to him, tourists from countries including Japan, China, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, France, USA, Germany, Denmark, Pakistan, Australia, UK, Ireland, South Korea, Belgium, Thailand, Taiwan, Switzerland, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Czech Republic, Iran, India, Greece, and Argentina have visited Bandipur.
Chairman of the rural municipality, Surendra Thapa, stated that the Visit Year was launched to double Bandipur’s current annual tourist count of 100,000. He added that major tourist destinations have been listed, including Khadgadevi Temple, Thanimai Temple, Mahalaxmi Temple, Siddha Cave, the Mani Mukundsen Hiking Trail (Mini Great Wall), Tindhara, waterfalls and fountains, Tundikhel, the Mani Mukunda Sen Palace, and Padma Library.
Tourists also prefer Bhaktapur-style houses, Tundikhel, Thanimai, Tindhara, Raniban, Ramkot, Sunkhari, Khaddevi Temple, Bindhyabasini Temple, Mahalaxmi Temple, the information center, and other attractions, he said.
