“Ghumau Sauraha Chitwan”
To boost domestic and international tourism, tourism entrepreneurs from Chitwan have reached Karnali Province with the campaign titled ‘Ghumau Sauraha Chitwan 2082’. The campaign, led by Ratnanagar Municipality and the Regional Hotel Association Chitwan-Sauraha, is being implemented in collaboration with various tourism-related organizations.
The initiative aims to brand Sauraha Nepal’s third most popular tourist destination and invite more domestic and foreign visitors. According to Om Prakash Pandey, President of the Regional Hotel Association Nepal-Chitwan, the campaign seeks to enhance inter-provincial tourism collaboration and is expected to contribute significantly to the tourism development of both Karnali and Bagmati Provinces.
“Sauraha is among the top destinations for international tourists in Nepal, especially because of the unique experience of elephant rides and rhino sightings in Chitwan National Park,” said Pandey. “However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of domestic tourists has declined. Through this campaign, we are seeking to revive the tourism sector by encouraging more domestic travel.”
The campaign was initially launched nationwide in Poush 2077 under the name ‘Ghumau Sauraha’. This year, the team has extended its promotional tour to major cities across Western Nepal, including Karnali, to further expand the reach and awareness of Sauraha as a must-visit destination.
At a press conference held in Karnali, Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel highlighted the lack of infrastructure as the main challenge in developing tourism in the province. He emphasized the need for collaboration between the private sector in Chitwan and the tourism potential of Karnali, adding that both the federal and provincial governments are currently working on infrastructure development.
“Karnali holds some of the richest tourism potential in Nepal,” said Chief Minister Kandel. “What we now need is stronger integration with other provinces and active participation from both public and private sectors to realize this potential.” The ongoing campaign is expected to not only strengthen the tourism ties between the two provinces but also rejuvenate Nepal’s domestic tourism industry post-pandemic, with Sauraha positioned as a key eco-tourism and wildlife destination.
