By Amar Raj Naharki
Tanahun, Jan. 2: The once-thriving tourism sector in Bandipur, which had suffered a nasty blow since the COVID-19 contagion, is gradually gaining momentum. After an extended period of dormancy, hoteliers, restaurant owners and other stakeholders in the tourism industry welcomed throngs of domestic tourists, who swarmed the precincts of Bandipur to celebrate the Gregorian Calendar New Year.
“Since the last seven months Bandipur hotels had closed their doors owing to COVID-19,” said Bais Gurung, Chairman of the Marketing Unit at Tanahun Federation of Commerce. However, the New Year has come as a welcome surprise as the burgeoning tourism hub garnered over four thousand tourists. “Among them around one thousand visitors stayed overnight, much to the pleasure of hotel operators,” claimed Gurung.
The government’s decision to issue a green light on domestic movement has come as a beacon of hope for numerous businesses at Bandipur. Since opening hotels, and restaurants at Bandipur from Nepali month of Ashwin 1, there has been an increase in the number of tourists. Regarded as a number one touristic destination of the Gandaki Province, all restaurants have been packed full of customers with several hotels running at full capacity.
Given the unprecedented crowd since New Year, Bandipur hotels have tried their best to adhere to safety protocols as per the WHO guidelines. As per Sangita Pradhan, proprietor of Heritage Guesthouse and Restaurant, “the travelling season has arrived and we wish to compensate for the lost times.” She stated, “Hoteliers were increasingly distraught after a period of inactivity. Even paying bank loans have become troublesome.”
According to Bandipur Toursim Development Committee, there are about 80 small and large-scale hotels currently operating at Bandipur, all of which are now breathing a sigh of relief at the number of visitors brought by the New Year’s Eve. To capitalise on the occasion several businesses have introduced attractive packages and discounts.