Tourist arrivals up in Lumbini

Bhairahawa (Rupandehi), Aug 31: Tourist arrivals in Lumbini have significantly increased in the recent years. The data shows the birthplace of Gautam Buddha experienced a surge in the influx of tourists in the post-COVID-19 period. According to the Lumbini Development Trust, as of July of 2023, the tourist arrivals (except Nepal and India) increased by 500 percent period in compared to the corresponding period last year.

Likewise, the number of visitors from India was more by 30 percent followed by a similar rise in the arrivals of domestic tourists. As of July, 2023, a total of 23,942 tourists from third countries had been in Lumbini and this figure was 3,975 during the corresponding period last year, according to LDT public relations chief and information officer Dr Hari Rai.

Lumbini welcomed people from 96 countries in 2022 and till July this year, tourists from 67 visited the historic city. It is said more Indians are visiting Lumbini following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit here in May, 2022.