Tourists have started arriving in the popular tourist areas of Chitwan district, including Sauraha, to celebrate the Nepali New Year. Both domestic and foreign visitors are making their way to the region, reviving the local tourism scene after a long period of low footfall. According to Om Prakash Pandey, President of the Regional Hotel Association Sauraha, the number of tourists in Sauraha has been increasing steadily recently. However, he noted that ongoing curfews and protests in Birgunj, as well as road conditions, have impacted tourism.
Still, hoteliers expect full occupancy in all hotels by the evening of New Year’s Eve. In the past, visitors had to return due to the unavailability of rooms, but this year that situation is unlikely. The arrival of tourists has slowed down since mid-January, but bookings are now improving. The Association’s Vice President Gunaraj Thapaliya reported that several hotels have been fully booked since Friday, with steady improvements in reservations. Although numbers are still lower compared to previous years, the fact that New Year’s Eve falls on a weekend (Friday and Saturday) has helped attract more visitors.
Former Association President Suman Ghimire also mentioned that school holidays and the weekend have contributed to the rise in tourist numbers, and he expects all hotels in Sauraha to be full by the evening. Cultural events organized by the Restaurant and Bar Association (REBAN) Sauraha are adding to the festivities, with many Nepalese coming to enjoy the New Year celebrations. Prakash Neupane, General Manager of Hotel Siddhartha Vilasa Banbas, said all 34 rooms of the hotel are fully booked from Friday to Tuesday. More than half of the current guests are foreign tourists, mainly from Poland, China, and India.
The Jungle Crown Hotel also reported full occupancy in recent days. General Manager Santosh Giri stated that the number of tourists has been strong for the past two months and is expected to grow further as the season continues. REBAN Sauraha General Secretary Navin Nepal shared that a special New Year program featuring well-known performers is planned for the evening, which is expected to attract a large crowd, particularly domestic tourists. Tourists visiting Sauraha for the New Year typically enjoy jungle safaris in Chitwan National Park and the surrounding community forests, including elephant rides, jeep tours, nature walks, and boat rides. Sauraha remains a globally renowned destination for jungle adventures.
