By Our Correspondent, Rupandehi, Mar. 12: The widespread COVID-19, also known as coronavirus and now a global pandemic, has affected tourism in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

The number of tourists to this holy site has sharply declined, resulting in a complete hush in the area, which used to be crowded with both domestic and foreign tourists.

“Only some Indian and Sri Lankan tourists are coming. They too return after a couple of days. Other than them, tourists haven’t been seen for the past two to three weeks,” said Baburam Parajuli, proprietor of Ignite Lodge and Restaurant in Lumbini.

According to the Lumbini Hotel Association, 70 per cent of hotel bookings have been cancelled. Lumbini is facing the decline in tourists during the major visiting time of the year.

“Tourists from China have been increasing for some years. But with the virus spreading globally, the number of Chinese tourists, among others, is almost nil,” said Rajan Basnet, information officer of Lumbini Development Trust.

Other than Chinese tourists, tourists from Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand used to come in large numbers during this time of the year in the past.

“The number of tourists in January was comparable to the month’s data of previous year. However, the number was far less in February when compared to that of last year. The number will dip further in March,” said Basnet.

The virus has affected not only Lumbini, but various other tourism destinations across the country.

Lumbini was celebrating Lumbini Visit Year alongside government’s Visit Nepal 2020 campaign. With Visit Nepal 2020 postponed by the government, there is only one month remaining for Lumbini Visit Year.

“With the tourism sector affected, we are worried how to pay the salary of hotel employees and the bank loan,” said Mithun Man Shrestha, chairperson of Lumbini Hotel Association.