CHITWAN: Deepak Bhattarai, who has been in the tourism business in Sauraha for 25 years, says he has never seen the town as deserted during the monsoon season as it is this year.
While tourist activity typically slows down during the rains, this is the first time he has experienced an almost complete absence of foreign visitors.
Bhattarai, outgoing chairman of the Regional Hotel Association, reports that hotel occupancy currently stands at just 5 to 10 percent. While Fridays and Saturdays see a slight increase to around 10 percent, occupancy drops to as low as 5 percent on other days.
In previous years, about 30 percent occupancy was common during this season.
Most hotels have given leave to their staff due to the low number of tourists. Bhattarai, who runs Chitwan Forest Resort, said only 25 percent of employees are currently working.
Although Indian, Chinese, and domestic tourists usually visit during the monsoon, the decrease is attributed to difficult surface travel from Bhairahawa, the main gateway for Indian tourists.
Giridhari Chaudhary, a tourism veteran since 2033 BS, attributes the decline to the economic slowdown and poor road conditions from Kathmandu and Butwal, along with irregular air transport.
Tourists usually visit the park and nearby areas for jeep, foot, elephant, and boat safaris to explore the forest and wildlife. However, jeep safaris in Chitwan National Park have been suspended for the monsoon.
Sauraha has about 150 hotels with over 8,000 beds, providing employment to more than 6,000 people.
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