Tourist arrivals continue to grow

February this year saw an upward trend in tourist arrival to Nepal via air as the figure reached 30,041 -- up by 17 percent compared to the same month last year.

According to Nepal Tourism Board, most of major Asian markets saw positive growth: Thailand up by 105 percent, Singapore by 47 percent, Malaysia by 10 percent, China by 6 percent, South Korea by 12 percent and Bangladesh by 99 percent. However, arrival from India decreased seven percent and from Japan by 14 percent.

European markets, with a growth of 38 percent, cast a very optimistic picture for Nepali travel trade industry. The arrivals from UK up by 37 percent, France by 41 percent, Germany by 33 percent, Italy by 44 percent, and Spain by 46 percent rose up substantially but nominal decreases in arrivals from Israel and Switzerland were also recorded.

Arrival from Australia grew by 50 percent, Canada by 36 percent and United States by 28 percent which shed a hopeful picture of growing consumer confidence from these markets.

The total number of arrivals in the first two months of this year grew to 56,105, up by 15 compared to same period last year. Excluding India, the shares of Americas, UK, China, S. Korea, Japan, France, and Germany are in the top list and these markets are growing substantially.

"Moderate travel advisory, good air connection and effective marketing of Nepal Tourism Board and private sector are a few positive things that have made some difference in tourist arrivals from Europe," NTB said. nepalnews.com ia Mar 03 08