Tourist arrival to Nepal in the first month of 2010 recorded an increment of 18.8 percent compared to the arrival figures of same period last year.

According to the figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport, a total of 26,071 visitors entered Nepal in January. Growth in January was contributed by increment in arrivals from all market segments. Arrivals from India, which contributes one-third of total tourist arrivals to Nepal, grew by 9.9 percent. In the SAARC region, arrivals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka grew by 43.3 percent, 37.3 percent and 9.9 percent respectively. In aggregate, the South Asian segment registered a positive growth of 15.6 percent in January.

Arrivals from Asia (other than South Asia) have also recorded a positive growth. Arrivals from Japan, Malaysia and South Korea grew by 19.5 percent, 57.2 percent and 87.2 percent respectively. However, China, Thailand and Singapore registered negative growth of 18.3 percent, 25.1 percent and 3.2 percent respectively. In aggregate, the Asian segment registered a positive growth of 15.4 percent.

Arrivals from European countries recorded a growth of whopping 34.9 percent in January, contributed by growth from major generating markets like UK (12.6 percent), France (17 percent), Germany (25.8 percent), Italy (40.9 percent), the Netherlands (92.2 percent), Spain (62.4 percent) and Switzerland (5.8 percent).

Similarly, arrivals from Australia, Canada and USA also registered healthy growth of 17.5 percent, 69.2 percent and 10.2 percent respectively.

“Nepal has enjoyed a sustained positive growth in the international visitor arrivals since June 2009 and the trend continues even in year 2010. These figures reflect confidence among visitors and tour operators to Nepal,” a press statement issued by Nepal Tourism Board stated.


Source: TAAN