Domestic tourist numbers drop in Sauraha during festival

Holiday visitor numbers in Sauraha have fallen during the festival season compared to previous years, according to reports. Highway blockages caused by recent flooding in the Bhote Koshi and Budhi Gandaki rivers have been cleared, but lingering fears of rain-triggered road closures continue to deter domestic travellers. Similar visitor trends are visible in Pokhara, which also lacks its usual level of festival activity. Hotel operators remain optimistic that bookings will pick up over the coming days as holiday periods progress. Reports indicate that international visitors whose travel was previously halted by flooding are now returning. Sauraha serves as the primary gateway to Chitwan National Park, regularly attracting significant numbers of travellers during holiday periods, though current domestic footfall remains below historical levels. Industry representatives noted that despite the current dip in local holidaymakers, fresh bookings are beginning to arrive. Businesses remain hopeful that the weekend will bring higher occupancy rates as holiday celebrations continue across the region.