Bardiya, Sept. 16 -- Jeep safaris in Bardiya National Park, which had been suspended since mid-July due to the Gen-Z protests, have now resumed, reviving hopes for the region's tourism industry.

Saroj Mani Poudel, senior conservation officer of the park, regards the daily arrivals of 15-20 foreign tourists and a growing number of Nepali visitors signal a gradual recovery, despite the monsoon season keeping overall numbers low.

Tourism entrepreneurs, however, remain divided in their outlook.

While some lament that travel restrictions imposed by the United States and other Western nations have hurt arrivals, others note an encouraging rise in domestic and South Asian visitors.

Last fiscal year, the park welcomed 28,068 tourists - 2,000 ...