Less than a year after Pokhara was named the tourism capital, Chitwan is set to receive a similar designation as the capital of wildlife tourism. Pokhara was declared the tourism capital in March 2024. About eight months later, Chitwan will officially be recognized as the capital of biodiversity and wildlife tourism.

Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its jungle safaris and unique biodiversity. The announcement will coincide with the 18th Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival, scheduled to be held from December 26 to 30. The event is being organized by the Regional Hotel Association, Chitwan, in collaboration with the United Elephant Operation Cooperative Society Ltd and the Restaurant and Bar Association Nepal.

Ganga Giri, president of the Regional Hotel Association, Chitwan, emphasized the significance of the declaration.

"We want to establish Chitwan as a premier destination for wildlife tourism," Giri said. "This designation will help promote Chitwan as a hub for experiencing wildlife, birds, and flora, attracting more visitors."

Chitwan currently hosts approximately 200 tourist-grade hotels, with several five-star and international chain hotels under development. The outgoing president of the association, Deepak Bhattarai, noted that around 250,000 domestic and international tourists visit the area annually. "If road infrastructure improves, we expect even more tourists," Bhattarai added.

The upcoming festival, which has been organized since 1998, was suspended for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has significantly boosted tourism, with annual arrivals reportedly increasing by 25–30% during the festive period.

The five-day event will feature 80 elephants owned by private and government entities and include a variety of programs, such as: Declaration of Chitwan as the tourism capital of biodiversity and wildlife, elephant grooming competition, elephant forest feast, elephant football penalty shootout, and elephant musical walk.

The festival aims to highlight Chitwan's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, further cementing its status as a leading wildlife tourism destination.