CHITWAN: The arrival of domestic and foreign tourists has increased at tourist destinations in Chitwan following the government’s introduction of a two-day weekend holiday system.
Tourism entrepreneurs are encouraged by the steady flow of visitors despite the ongoing rainy season. They said tourist arrivals this year have increased compared to previous years in major destinations including Sauraha, Patihani, Jagatpur and Meghauli.
According to entrepreneurs, the number of Chinese and Indian tourists has also increased significantly along with domestic visitors.
Mahesh Khanal, general secretary of the Regional Hotel Association Chitwan, said that although tourists engaging in tourism activities during the rainy season usually account for around 30 percent of annual arrivals, hotel occupancy has reached around 50 percent this year.
He said domestic tourist arrivals have increased by around 25 percent compared to the same period last year following the implementation of the two-day weekly holiday system. He added that domestic tourism has received a further boost as schools and colleges are currently on vacation.
Khanal also said the number of Indian tourists has been increasing. However, he noted that tourist arrivals have not reached the expected level due to inadequate road infrastructure, causing some domestic and foreign visitors to choose alternative destinations. He added that the number of Indian tourists visiting hill destinations, including Pokhara, has been particularly notable.
Until a few years ago, some hotels in Sauraha used to remain closed during the rainy season. However, with the expansion of the hotel industry in recent years, tourism entrepreneurs have started promoting the destination throughout the year, including during the monsoon period.
Suman Ghimire, former president of the Regional Hotel Association Chitwan and central member of Hotel Association Nepal, said the tourism sector has directly benefited from the introduction of the two-day weekly holiday. According to him, even if tourist numbers remain low on one of the two holidays, the other day sees a significant increase in visitors.
Ghimire said tourism entrepreneurs in Kolkata, India, recently informed him that Nepal has emerged as an attractive destination for Indian tourists this year. He attributed the trend to factors including India’s policy of increasing foreign exchange reserves, reduced attraction toward some international destinations due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and stricter visa procedures adopted by Thailand.
He said these factors have also contributed to increased tourist arrivals in Sauraha. However, he emphasized that improved physical infrastructure, especially road connectivity, would be essential to attract more visitors.
Deepak Bhattarai, former president of the Regional Hotel Association Chitwan, also said tourist arrivals have increased this year compared to the previous year due to the two-day holiday arrangement. He added that domestic tourism has particularly benefited from the extended weekend.
The two-day holiday system has also contributed to increased tourist activity in other destinations across the district. Ganesh Poudel, owner of Hotel Jungle Villa in Patihani, said tourist arrivals have increased compared to last year and attributed the growth mainly to the new holiday arrangement.
Currently, there are 141 hotels in Sauraha. Well-equipped hotels are also operating in Patihani, Jagatpur and Meghauli areas of western Chitwan. Together, these hotels have the capacity to accommodate around 10,000 tourists daily.
Domestic and international tourists visit Chitwan National Park and the Intermediate Community Forest to observe wildlife, including one-horned rhinoceroses and leopards, through activities such as jeep safaris, elephant safaris and canoe rides.
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