Problems and Prospects of Tourism in Sauraha Vdc

Abstract

Tourism has become an important sector in the economy of Nepal. It is the main source of foreign currency earning also, development of tourism sector has contributed to increase employment, income generation and to improve the balance of payment of the country. Nepal has become the attractive destination for tourist from all over the word. Sauraha is the most popular tourist destination in Nepal. It has great potentiality for the development of tourism. This study gives both positive and negative effects of tourism in society, culture, economy and environment. Sauraha has great potentialities to develop tourism. It is rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. Boating, sightseeing, Village tour, canoeing, elephant safari, Bird watching, jungle drive are the main potential tourism at the study area which attracts the domestic as well as foreign tourists.. The number of tourist visiting from Asia is the highest among all continents, the majority of tourists arrived directly in Sauraha by tourist bus with their guide.A accommodation facilities are found to be insufficient to serve the visiting tourists demand on the peak season. Most of the tourist visiting this area is for jungle safari 64 percent of the tourist in Sauraha go for Safari. The duration of tourist stay in this area ranges from 1 day to six days. Most of the tourist stays for 2 days and 3 night‟s package. In case of Expenditure most of the tourists are economic. Larger percentage spends below 40 dollars per day. Very few about 10% spend more than 100 dollars in a single day. Tourism has brought positive impacts on economy, society and environment of Sauraha. Tourism helps to develop the infrastructure like road, electricity, water supply, health, education and communication brings changes in living of people, behavior pattern of people, dresses, life style, language and food habit are positive impact of tourism. 5 Tourism has created the various types of employment opportunities for local people. It has also created serious environmental problems such as degradation of forest, water pollution, garbage, problem etc. However, negative impacts are not beyond control. They are manageable. They can be minimized by proper management of tourism activities and resources.