Month of April sees marginal decline in tourist arrival

Tourist arrival to Nepal via air has taken a downward plunge for the first time after the start of peace process in the country.

According to the data provided by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), arrivals in April recorded a marginal decline of 1% as compared to the arrival figure of same period last year.

However, arrival in the first four months of 2008 has increased by 11.5% as compared to the arrival figure of first four months of 2007. A total of 1,28,802 visitors visited the country in the first four months of 2008.

A total of 32,665 visitors visited the country in April 2008. Though arrivals from Europe remained almost unchanged, arrivals from Asian market declined by 18%. Likewise, arrival from the SAARC countries also declined by 14% though Bangladesh recorded an increment of 60%.

Arrivals from France (21%), Austria (20%), the Netherlands (28%), Israel with (28%), Switzerland with (66%) and Spain (25%) recorded impressive growth rate. However, arrivals from UK (20%), Sweden (31%) and Germany (20%) declined. Similarly, arrivals from Australia and New Zealand increased by 51% while the North American market (USA and Canada) increased by 25%.

"Taking the data into consideration, the main reason for the decrease in arrival might be the prediction of uncertainty in the minds of travelers due to our Constituent Assembly (CA) polls," NTB said in a press release. The Board said that it hopes of getting a healthy growth in days to come "as the successful completion of CA elections will give a good message to the potential travellers and also to the travel trade fraternity of the world." nepalnews.com ag May 06 08