The picturesque hill town of Bandipur has witnessed a notable increase in tourist arrivals, driven largely by the government’s decision to introduce two-day weekly public holidays. With growing travel culture among citizens and extended weekends, the number of domestic tourists visiting the hill station has seen a steady rise, tourism stakeholders said.
Sunday Emerges as New Peak Travel Day
Previously, Bandipur used to experience heavy tourist crowds mainly on Fridays and Saturdays. However, with the addition of Sunday as a public holiday, visitor flow has now expanded to three days a week.
Chairperson of the Bandipur Tourism Development Committee, Kishan Pradhan, said the new holiday structure has significantly boosted weekend tourism. “People have increasingly developed a travel culture. With Sunday also becoming a holiday, domestic tourist numbers in Bandipur are rising,” he said. He added that more than 1,000 tourists visited Bandipur on Sunday alone, a figure that was previously much lower on regular weekends.
Tourism Entrepreneurs Welcome Extended Holidays
Local tourism entrepreneur Baish Bahadur Gurung said the government’s decision to introduce two weekly holidays is proving beneficial for tourism growth. He noted that the growing trend of short-distance travel and weekend getaways has directly contributed to increased visitor flow in Bandipur. According to him, extended weekends are expected to strengthen its position further as a popular domestic tourism destination.
Strong Performance After Tourism Year Campaign
During the Bandipur Visit Year 2025 campaign, the hill town recorded an impressive influx of approximately 650,000 tourists, highlighting its growing popularity among domestic and international travelers. Officials believe the momentum generated during the campaign continues to influence current visitor trends positively.
Major Attractions Drawing Visitors
The municipality has listed several key attractions that continue to draw tourists. These include Khadga Devi Temple, Thani Mai Temple, Mahalakshmi Temple, Siddha Cave, Mani Mukunda Sen Walking Trail (Mini Great Wall), Tundikhel, waterfalls, fountains, and historical sites such as Mani Mukunda Sen Palace and Padam Library. Traditional Newari-style houses, scenic viewpoints, and cultural landmarks such as Ramkot, Raniban, and Binayabasini Temple also remain major attractions for visitors.
Bandipur Strengthens Position as Weekend Destination
With improved travel habits and extended public holidays, Bandipur is emerging as a leading weekend destination in Nepal. Tourism entrepreneurs believe that sustained visitor growth will further support the local economy and strengthen the town’s identity as a cultural and scenic tourism hub.
