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In the past year, tourism in Sauraha has seen a decline, with Chinese tourists not visiting as much as before, impacting the tourism activities in Chitwan. The decrease in Indian and tourists from other countries has also been noted. Local business owners attribute the drop in domestic tourists to various factors.
Ramesh Khatri, a representative of Kansai Nepal News, commented on the situation. He mentioned that domestic tourists have been visiting destinations like Manang, Mustang, and Rara Lake region, resulting in fewer tourists in Sauraha. Despite new programs not being introduced in Sauraha, tourists still express a desire to return, according to Khatri.
Deepak Bhattarai, the manager of Chitwan Forest Resort, highlighted a significant decrease in Chinese tourists visiting this year compared to the previous year. He attributed this decline to a lack of information on why Chinese tourists are not choosing Chitwan as their destination. He also mentioned that in Kathmandu, there has been an increase in Chinese tourists compared to Chitwan.
Gunaraj Thapaliya, the general secretary of the Regional Hotel Association in Sauraha, noted a decrease in the number of tourists visiting Sauraha compared to previous years. He speculated that the drop in tourists could be due to the poor condition of roads leading to the region, making it less accessible for travelers.
Suman Ghimire, the director of Jungle Safari Lodge, mentioned that despite celebrating ‘Visit Nepal Year’, the country has seen a decrease in Chinese tourists. He emphasized the importance of attracting more tourists to Nepal’s tourism destinations by organizing engaging activities.
In a recent development, fewer Indian tourists have been visiting Sauraha, with a decrease in bookings and overall footfall. With Chinese tourists being a significant market, the impact of their reduced numbers has been felt across the region. The United Elephant Safari Cooperative has also seen a decrease in the number of tourists opting for elephant safaris in recent times.
Overall, the tourism industry in Sauraha is facing challenges due to various factors, including road conditions, lack of promotional activities, and reduced interest from key markets. The local businesses are hopeful for improved conditions in the future to attract more visitors and boost the tourism sector.
Opinion from Ramesh Khatri: As a representative of Kansai Nepal News, Ramesh Khatri expresses concern over the declining tourism in Sauraha, emphasizing the need for targeted marketing strategies to attract tourists from diverse markets. He suggests that focusing on improving infrastructure and promoting unique experiences could help revitalize the tourism sector in the region.
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Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: March 15, 2025 12:02 am
