RUPANDEHI: The past years have witnessed an upswing in tourist arrivals to Lumbini.

According to data, Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, has undergone a substantial surge in tourist traffic, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of July 2023, the Lumbini Development Trust reports an astounding 500 percent increase in tourist arrivals (excluding Nepal and India) compared to the same period the previous year.

Notably, there has been a 30 percent increase in visitors from India, accompanied by a similarly impressive rise in domestic tourist numbers.

In precise numbers, the count of third-country tourists in Lumbini for July 2023 reached 23,942.

This is a significant leap from the 3,975 recorded during the corresponding period in the preceding year. Dr. Hari Rai, the spokesperson and information officer of the LDT, conveyed this information.

In the year 2022, Lumbini hosted visitors from 96 different countries. Up until July of the current year, this number stands at 67.

Notably, the boost in Indian tourists is attributed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lumbini in May 2022.