South Asia, China boost tourist arrivals

Strong South Asian and Chinese arrivals propelled international visitor arrivals by 34.3 per cent to 51,969 in April compared to the same month last year, according to the Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
The upward trend that started with the new year continued in the fourth month showing clearly the rising travel demand. Nepal has enjoyed a sustained positive growth in the international visitor arrivals since June 2009.
However, between January to April -- in the last four months of 2011 -- international tourist arrivals to Nepal increased by 18.4 per cent to 168,958.
"In aggregate, the South Asian segment has registered a positive growth of 32.5 per cent with India -- that constitutes the major market of Nepal -- recording a positive growth of 38.3 per cent," according to Nepal Tourism Board. "The visitor arrivals from China have increased by 42.2 per cent."
The arrivals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka also increased by 4.9 per cent, 4.1 per cent and 83.9 per cent respectively.
Similarly, arrivals from Asia -- other than South Asia -- also recorded positive growth of 18.4 per cent in aggregate.
The arrivals from Japan, Thailand, Singapore and South Korea increased by 13.1 per cent, 5.6 per cent, 37.3 per cent and 3.7 per cent, respectively, though the arrivals fromMalaysia declined by 9.6 per cent.
An overall positive growth of 45.4 per cent has been observed from the European markets with arrivals from major tourist generating markets like the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Russia that registered 56.2 per cent, 30.4 per cent, 47.7 per cent, seven per cent, 49.5 per cent, 58.6 per cent, 70.5 per cent, 23.8 per cent and 16.5 per cent growth, respectively.
Tourist arrivals from Australia and New Zealand increased by 47.3 per cent and 46.7 per cent respectively, and arrivals from USA and Canada posted growth of 25.7 per cent and 36 per cent.
According to the immigration, a total of 55,630 foreign tourists departed from TIA whereas 56,069 Nepalis arrived through the air, and 67,251 Nepalis departed in April.