SATV Kathmandu Sept 23: The famous tourist spots of Ilam, including Kanyam and Antu, which were deserted after the Gen-Z movement on September 8–9, have started to see a recovery in tourist activity.

These areas, previously crowded with domestic and foreign tourists, had become nearly empty following the protests. 

Hotels, cottages, and homestays that once welcomed thousands of tourists daily were left vacant. However, with the situation in the country returning to normal, tourism in these regions is beginning to recover.

Rudra Ghimire, President of the Antu Tourism Entrepreneurs' Association, confirmed the revival. 

“Tourist activity has resumed now that the national situation has stabilised,” he said.

Kanyam and Antu are especially popular with domestic and Indian tourists. However, since the protests, only domestic tourists have been visiting. Indian tourists, particularly those from West Bengal, have largely stopped coming due to safety concerns.

The Indian government has reportedly tightened the entry of its citizens into Nepal following the protests, further contributing to the decline in Indian tourists.

Ghimire added, “The tourism sector suffered a setback at the start of the season, and it will take some time to return to its previous state.”

According to him, around 500 tourists are currently visiting Antu each day. Before the protests, more than 2,000 tourists would come daily.

Visitors to Antu typically enjoy watching the sunrise, boating in the Antu pond, dressing up in ethnic costumes, horse riding, and watching the scenic tea plantations. 

Antu remains a year-round tourist destination.

Similarly, tourist activity has resumed in Kanyam as well. 

“Kanyam was mostly quiet after the agitation, but now there is some activity,” said hotelier Tekraj Giri. 

While Kanyam has traditionally been a favourite among domestic and Indian tourists, the number of Indian visitors has notably decreased.

Antu and Kanyam usually receive a large number of tourists from mid-September to mid-June. Other popular tourist spots in Ilam, including Sandakpur hills, Maipokhari, Dhap Pokhari, Panitar Tea Plantation, Tumling, Tanglu, Sano Pathibhara have also seen an increase in visitors.

Gagan Ghimire, Information Officer at the Tourism Information Centre in Jorkalas, said that the number of domestic tourists had declined initially, but has recently started to rise again as the weather has improved and the rains have subsided. 

He also noted that the number of Indian vehicles entering the country has dropped from 30–40 per day to just 4–5.