CHITWAN: Tourism activity in Sauraha has picked up in recent weeks, with business owners reporting a noticeable rise in visitor numbers, particularly during weekends.
Local entrepreneurs say the introduction of a two-day weekend has made the area more vibrant, drawing both domestic and international tourists. Visitors are mainly attracted to activities in Chitwan National Park and nearby buffer zone community forests, as well as events such as seminars and weddings.
According to Gunaraj Thapaliya, vice president of the Regional Hotel Association, domestic tourist inflow has increased significantly on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, making the destination lively. He noted that foreign tourists make up over 40 percent of visitors during weekends and around 70 percent on weekdays.
Hotel occupancy has averaged about 50 percent this year, up from roughly 40 percent last year.
Business owners say improved road infrastructure could further boost tourist arrivals. While connectivity from Pokhara is relatively smooth, ongoing road expansion from Kathmandu and Bhairahawa has affected travel convenience.
Hotelier Ramesh Silwal of Hotel Vista Sauraha said tourist numbers naturally rise during holidays, adding that upgrades such as new facilities have also helped attract more guests.
Similarly, Dipendra Khatiwada, chair of the United Elephant Operation Cooperative, said elephant rides are in high demand during weekends, often requiring visitors to queue. The cooperative currently operates 25 elephants for jungle tours.
He added that restaurants are also seeing full occupancy during peak days, reflecting overall growth in tourism compared to last year.
Sauraha currently has 148 hotels with the capacity to accommodate around 7,200 guests. Business owners estimate investments exceeding Rs 400 billion in the sector, generating direct employment for about 6,400 people and indirect jobs for over 12,000.
However, they note that tourist arrivals typically decline with the onset of the monsoon season.
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