Tihar tourism rush fills Chitwan and Pokhara, but briefly
Summary
During Tihar, tourism surged briefly in Chitwan and Pokhara with crowded hotels and tourist sites, but visitor numbers quickly declined after the festival period. Despite a boost in domestic visitors, foreign tourist arrivals remain low, creating concerns for local businesses.
Key Points
- Tihar holidays saw a brief surge in tourism in Chitwan, especially around Chitwan National Park, with a peak of over 2,500 domestic visitors on one day.
- Pokhara experienced heavy tourist inflow during Tihar, with hotel occupancy reaching 90% and strong demand for boat rides and trekking.
- Foreign tourist numbers remain low in Chitwan, causing concerns for tourism entrepreneurs about sustained recovery.
- The growth of domestic adventure tourism and improved connectivity are helping mitigate the impacts of fluctuating foreign arrivals.
- Business owners in key tourist destinations advised visitors to book accommodations in advance due to high demand during Tihar.
