CHITWAN: Tourist activity in Sauraha, Chitwan, has surged following a period of disruption caused by floods, landslides, and road blockages.

The arrival of both domestic and international tourists has increased due to the Dashain holidays and favorable weather conditions, bringing renewed enthusiasm to local business owners.

Gokarna Giri, a local tourism entrepreneur, noted that the recent influx of visitors has boosted morale. He said, “All tourism entrepreneurs in Sauraha are happy now. Some visitors are shopping, some are going to the jungle, and others are sightseeing. There is movement and activity everywhere.”

Lava Sapkota, manager of Vatika Resort, confirmed that the resort has seen a significant rise in domestic tourists during the festival period. With all rooms fully booked for the past two to three days, he added, “It is very difficult to provide rooms to guests. We are busy with management. Currently, there are more Nepali tourists.”

Tourism entrepreneur Rishi Tiwari stated that tourist arrivals after Dashain have been better compared to last year. Key attractions in the area include jeep safaris, elephant safaris, boat rides on the Rapti River, and Tharu cultural dances. Tiwari added, “In my experience, the number of guests coming to Sauraha has increased more than last year.”

Suman Ghimire, former president of the Regional Hotel Association of Nepal, Chitwan, explained that the main tourism season was delayed by about a month due to natural disasters. Although bookings were initially affected by floods and road conditions, arrivals have now begun to pick up.

Sauraha serves as a primary gateway to the Chitwan National Park and is a major hub for visitors exploring the park and surrounding community forests.