Tourist arrival increases by 78.8 percent

Tourist arrival increases by 78.8 percent
Nepalnews.com, 4-May-07

The positive trend in international visitors’ arrival in Nepal continued in the month of April as well.

According to the statistics released by the Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport, arrival of the tourists via air route increased by a whopping 78.8% in the month of April 2007.

A total of 33,024 visitors came to Nepal during the period, which is a record high for the number of international visitors entering Nepal by air route in the month of April since 2002.

The arrival of Indian tourists, the largest market, increased by 110% as compared to the same period last year.

Arrival of tourists from the SAARC segment grew tremendously during the period. Arrivals from Asian continent grew by 137.4% during the period.

European arrivals secured one-third-market share during the month, with encouraging growth from major generating markets like UK by 44.5%, France by 58.4% and Germany by 83.6%.

The number of Austrian tourists declined marginally by 7.5%, while rest of the European markets showed a sharp upward trend like Italy by 73.4%, the Netherlands by 62.3%, and Spain by 9.9%.

The Australian market too increased by 32.7% while USA registered a sharp increment of 92.6% during April.

"The demand for Nepal as preferred destination has lately improved by many fold mainly due to two major reasons; the enhanced destination image resulting from peace and stability within the country, and a slightly better air connectivity,” a news release issued by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said.

The NTB, however said that shortage of air seats continued to hamper further growth as industry sources complained that many groups had to be cancelled due to lack of air seats.