Tourist arrival by air decreases

The tourist arrival by air during the month of June has decreased by seven percent compared to same time last year.

However, the figures released by Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) shows that visitor arrival to Nepal increased by six percent with a total of 177,163 visitors till June 2008.

In the European market, Netherlands and Denmark recorded a strong increase by 20 percent and 35 percent respectively.

Among the major tourist generating markets, UK and France registered a growth of 2 percent and 8 percent whereas USA and Spain had a negative growth of 7 percent each and Germany 31 percent.

The Indian market recorded a negative growth of 8 percent. Nevertheless, this market alone contributed 52 percent in the total arrivals for June.

In total, the Asian market registered a commendable upsurge in arrivals with a notable rise of 64 percent from Bangladesh, 73 percent from Pakistan, 46 percent from Sri Lanka and 42 percent from Singapore. nepalnews.com ia July 02 08