Tourists attracted by ‘Ghumau Sauraha’ campaign

Chitwan. The tourism business, which has slowed down due to the infection of Covid-19, is gradually gaining momentum. With the English New Year, the number of domestic tourists in Sauraha is gradually increasing.

Entrepreneurs had launched ‘Ghumau Sauraha’ campaign before the English New Year. At that time, they had reached the main urban areas of Provinces No. 2 and 3 and launched a campaign. Entrepreneurs had held programs in major cities of Eastern Nepal including Biratnagar, Dharan and Janakpur. The programs were supported by the Tourism Board of the Government of Nepal and local levels.

According to Deepak Bhattarai, president of the Regional Hotel Association Chitwan, tourists from eastern Nepal have also started coming to Sauraha along with the campaign. The number of families and young people visiting has increased. “In the past, students used to come more, now there are more family visits,” he said. On other days, the number is around 40 percent, he said.

All the hotels that were closed after the Covid-19 infection have started reopening. Entrepreneurs have also been encouraged, he said. Suman Ghimire, former president of the association and coordinator of the campaign, said that the program was publicized nationally. Stating that this has had a positive impact on tourist arrivals, he said that preparations have been made to take the campaign to other cities in the state this month. He said, “Such campaigns and regular publicity in the local media can attract domestic tourists.”

Dipendra Khatiwada, president of Restaurant and Bar Association (Rewan) Sauraha, said that there has been a good presence of domestic tourists in recent days. Stating that it is crowded on holidays, he informed that the tourist arrivals are getting satisfactory on other days as well. Stating that the campaign has become important for Sauraha, he said that the campaign has taught a lesson to attract tourists if the importance of the campaign can be spread across the country.

At present, hotels and restaurants in Sauraha are giving 20 to 40 percent discount to domestic tourists. Khatiwada informed that foreign tourists from Nepal and abroad have also started coming.

Tourists come here to observe the forests, flora and fauna in Chitwan National Park. Rare unicorns, tigers and crocodiles are the main attractions here. Elephant rides, boat rides, jeep safaris, hiking parks and intermediate areas are visited here. There are 140 big and small hotels and about 50 restaurants in Sauraha. Rasas