Tourists increases in Sauraha

CHITWAN, Jan 12:Tourist arrivals in Sauraha, Chitwan, a popular tourist destination in Nepal, have increased by 50% over the previous year.

Tourism entrepreneurs are excited because Sauraha's tourism, which had been stagnant because to COVID, is gradually returning to normal.

Sauraha's hotels are packed with foreign tourists, with 50 percent more arriving in 2023 than in 2022. Foreign tourists, particularly Chinese and Indian tourists, visit Sauraha in large numbers.

With the increase in local and foreign travelers in Sauraha during the English New Year, entrepreneurs predict that tourism in Sauraha will resume its previous rhythm. Despite a surge in tourism arrivals in Sauraha, entrepreneurs  believe that new locations and foreign tourists should remain longer.

The tourism entrepreneurs have demanded that the national park should make the one-time ticket for 5 to 7 days in order to extend the stay of the tourists.

Ganga Giri, President of the Regional Hotel Association of Chitwan, stated that the arrival of foreign tourists in Sauraha has increased since the English New Year. He said that in 2023, 40 percent of Sauraha tourists are domestic and the remaining 60 percent are foreign tourists.

President Giri stated that Sauraha can host 7,000 tourists at a time. He stated that, despite the fact that there are programs such as jeep safari and elephant safari, the national park only has one jeep safari route, thus guests are unable to see new sites. He said that it would be beneficial for tourists if the government created new routes through the park.

Madhav Duwadi, Treasurer of the Regional Hotel Association Nepal Chitwan and Managing Director of Hotel Seven Star, stated that the increase in visitor arrivals has boosted Sauraha's hotel business. He stated that domestic tourists gather in groups to hold meetings and seminars. He stated that the National Park is being used in accordance with previous policies. He stated that rather than luring tourists based on previous destinations, it is vital to seek out new destinations. He stated that, despite the fact that Sauraha is connected to Chitwan National Park, the tourism industry has yet to reap the benefits.

Entrepreneurs claim that the number of tourists has not increased due to a lack of adequate road infrastructure to assist tourist arrival in Sauraha. Similarly, businesspeople stated that air transportation is expensive for tourists visiting Chitwan. Entrepreneurs said that with the increase in tourism in Sauraha, new investment and opportunities will be opened.