Suman Ghimire, director-sales and marketing of the resort, said they had invested about Rs 30 million for renovation and expansion. The resort, which is in the business for the last two decades, has added 20 rooms, a new restaurant and seminar hall. [break]
“Our resort has been developed in a most eco-friendly way and all our services are disabled-friendly,” Ghimire added.
The resort chose off-season in tourism business for its expansion and renovation works. Construction works are expected to complete by July this year, according to Ghimire. The resort is rich culture and tradition of Tharus - the indigenous people of Sauraha.
“Tharu culture and tradition along with modern amenities like WiFi are our unique selling point,” Ghimire said. He further added that they had also raised heights of huts to ensue maximum security to the visitors.
The promoters are planning to add additional rooms if tourists flow to Sauraha increased after Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign. “We are planning to add a swimming pool and a terrace beer bar next year,” Ghimire revealed his future plans.
About 70 jungle resorts are operating in Sauraha - a famous destination for jungle safari. Ghimire said each of the resorts record average transaction of Rs 3 to Rs 4 million every year.
Though tourism business in Sauraha is faring well, Ghimire was quick to note existing price war among the hotels to get more business. “The situation has become so worrisome that we immediately need to fix minimum rates and standards for hotels and resorts in Sauraha,” he added.
As the unique selling point of tourism in Sauraha is jungle safari, increasing poaching of one-horned rhinos and other wild species has emerged as a big challenge for tourism here.
“National park authorities do not allow private elephants to enter the Chitwan National Park (CNP). Though we have been demanding officials to allow private elephants inside CNP, our requests have been falling into deaf ears,” Ghimire added.
Focus on domestic visitors
Unlike other resorts in Sauraha, Jungle Safari Lodge is putting high emphasis on promotion of domestic visitors.
“Domestic tourism is a lifeline for our resort during off-season where the number of international visitors goes down,” Ghimire added. He also added that the flow of domestic tourist in Sauraha has been growing in recent years due to increasing popularity of Chitwan among domestic visitors.
“Our occupancy doesn´t fall below 30 percent even during off-season due to steady flow of domestic tourists,” Ghimire added.
Jungle Safari Lodge has launched special Monsoon Package for foreign visitors in this summer. The two-nights-three-days package priced Rs 3,400 per person includes all meals, accommodation, jungle safari and culture shows, among others. It is valid till August 15, Ghimire said.
“We launched this special package to attract more internal visitors to Sauraha ahead of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign,” he said. He also claimed that the scheme was first of its kind in Sauraha.
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