Damans popular destination located in Makawanpur district, has seen a sharp decline

Tourism in Daman, a popular destination located in Makawanpur district, has seen a sharp decline, leaving local hotels struggling to stay afloat. Once bustling with both domestic and international tourists, many of Daman’s hotels are now operating at significantly reduced capacity. Hoteliers lament that the once-thriving area now seems almost deserted, with occupancy rates dropping by over half.

Daman, which is easily accessible via Tribhuvan Rajpath—the country’s oldest highway that links the Tarai region with Kathmandu—was once a go-to spot for those seeking a peaceful mountain retreat. However, with the expansion of new tourist areas and the development of alternative road networks, the area has lost some of its luster. Locals attribute this downturn to the opening of faster routes, such as the Hetauda-Kulekhani-Kantilokpath road, which has drastically reduced travel times between Kathmandu and Hetauda.

Rajendra Bhujel, a hotelier who has been in the business for 20 years, explained that the new roads have had a significant impact on the flow of tourists to Daman. Previously, it took about six to seven hours to travel from Kathmandu to Hetauda via Tribhuvan Rajpath. Now, however, travelers can cover the same distance in just three hours by taking the new roads, which has led to fewer vehicles using the older highway, and consequently, fewer tourists visiting Daman.

Bhujel, who relies solely on his hotel business for income, described how the decline in tourism has nearly caused his operations to collapse. Similarly, Manju Sherpa, the owner of Hotel Sherpa, shared that the number of visitors has halved in recent years. While tourists typically visit during the winter months to experience the snow, this year’s lack of snowfall has further decreased the number of visitors.

Other hotel owners, like Suraj Adhikari of Adhikari Hotel and Lodge, also reported a substantial decrease in business compared to previous years. Sudhesa Bhujel, who has been in the hotel business for 40 years, noted that things were much better before the new road through Kulekhani and Hetauda opened. The decline in traffic along the Tribhuvan Rajpath means fewer people stop in Daman, leading to a dramatic downturn in business.

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In response to this slump, some business owners have had to adjust. Sudhesa Bhujel mentioned that they no longer prepare regular meals as they did in the past; now, meals are only made when there is an order. The situation has been tough, as the reduction in tourists has directly affected their income.

Despite the challenges, some locals are optimistic about Daman’s potential. Govinda Prasad Ghimire, who has been running Daman Resort for 20 years, is rebuilding and reopening his resort after it had been temporarily closed. He highlighted the area’s unique attractions, such as the Daman View Tower, which offers stunning views of more than 25 high peaks, including Mount Everest. Ghimire also pointed out Daman’s temperate climate, diverse religious sites, trekking trails, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage as reasons why it remains an attractive destination for tourists.

While the decline in tourism has undoubtedly hurt the local economy, business owners like Ghimire remain hopeful that Daman’s natural beauty and cultural significance will draw visitors back to the area in the future. However, for now, many are struggling to keep their businesses running and are adjusting to the changing dynamics of the tourism industry.