Bhairahawa: The sacred site of Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, has experienced a remarkable increase in tourist arrivals in recent years. Notably, this trend has been accentuated in the post-COVID-19 era, indicating a renewed interest in this historical and spiritual destination.

Based on data provided by the Lumbini Development Trust, the period after COVID-19 has witnessed a substantial uptick in the number of tourists arriving in Lumbini. Specifically, from July of the current year, tourist arrivals from countries other than Nepal and India have surged by an impressive 500 percent compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Moreover, the number of visitors from India has risen by 30 percent, closely followed by a similar increase in the arrival of domestic tourists.

As of July 2023, a total of 23,942 tourists from third countries have visited Lumbini. This is in stark contrast to the 3,975 visitors recorded during the same period in the previous year, as highlighted by Dr. Hari Rai, the Chief of Public Relations and Information Officer at the Lumbini Development Trust.

The magnetic appeal of Lumbini has drawn travelers from a diverse range of countries. In the year 2022, Lumbini welcomed visitors from 96 different countries, and this trend continues into the current year with tourists from 67 countries having visited the historic city until July.

Interestingly, the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Lumbini in May 2022 has been attributed to the increased influx of Indian visitors. This visit seems to have acted as a catalyst, sparking interest and prompting more Indian tourists to explore the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.