Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival from December 26

Kathmandu, Nov 26: The 18th Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival is to be held this year from coming December 26 to 30.     

Organized every year by Regional Hotel Association Chitwan and United Hatti Operation Cooperatives Society Ltd and Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal the festival will to be held in Sauraha.     

President of Chitwan Regional Hotel Association, Ganga Giri, said that the festival this year will be different and grander than the past. The arrival of tourists increases by 25 to 30 percent every year due to the festival, he claimed.     

A total of 80 elephants both private and government-owned will participate in various activities under the festival. The festival is expected to cost around Rs 13.5 million.     

Senior Director of Nepal Tourism Board, Hikmatsingh Ayer emphasized that elephant festival is important for tourism promotion and the NTB and other stakeholders should work together to market it.     

The festival is being held annually since 2055 BS. (RSS)