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VOL. 27, NO. 5, September 14, 2007 (Bhadra 28 2064 B.S.)
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TOURIST ARRIVAL
Sustained Growth
With the onset of peace process, the arrival of tourists has increased in a sustained manner
By A CORRESPONDENT
The latest figures released by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) shows that the number of tourist arrival has registered a sustained increase in recent months.
In the month of August alone, the tourist arrival (by air) recorded 18 percent growth.
The total visitor arrivals in August 2007 reached 26865, up by 4052 compared to the same month last year, according to the data released by Immigration Office Tribhuwan International Airport.
European market registered a healthy growth of 36 % in July and August. “It is generally considered as low season for international tourist arrivals. However, the visitors from some countries like Italy, Korea and Spain soared up in these months,” says a press release by the NTB.
Major European markets like UK (32.5%), Germany (38.9%), France (32.9%), Italy (34.2%), Spain (46.4%) registered healthy growths in this month. The Spanish (12.8%) and Italian (7.6%) markets this month presented themselves with a large pie in the total arrivals, creating a fair support to the lean season of the tourism industry of the country. However, the arrivals from Sweden and the Netherlands plummeted by 53.2 % and 1.2 % respectively.
The arrivals from SAARC region as a whole recorded a decline of 9.6 % due to the fall in arrivals from a major market- India by 13.7 % though other markets like Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka showed commendable growths by 54.4 %, 30.2 % and 93 % respectively.
Other Asian markets like People's Republic of China, Japan, S. Korea, and Chinese Taiwan have shown robust growths by 88.2 %, 14.5 %, 91.7 % and 94.2 % respectively. Malaysian and Thai markets fell by 26.6 % and 32.2 % respectively.
US, Canadian and Australian markets also recorded strong growths of 50.1 %, 44.6 % and 43.2 % respectively.
The total arrivals in the first eight months of this year grew on the average by 33.1 %. India, USA, UK and Japan are in the top list of tourist generating markets in this period with share of 32.1 %, 6.7 %, 6.6 % and 5.8 % in the total arrivals respectively.
“It is highly notable that Chinese and Korean markets are getting stronger and their arrivals during the first eight months have grown up by more than double compared to the same period last year.”
”NTB believes that the arrivals in the coming months will become stronger because of festival seasons in India and Nepal. One of reasons for decline is lack of air seats from India as most of seats are now being filled by European visitors coming to Nepal via India. Another reason is infrequent service provided by Nepal Airlines, the National Carrier in Indian sector due to technical hitch.”
NEPAL-CHINA TRADE POTENTIALS
Experts have urged the Nepali policymakers and businessmen to explore and promote the huge potential of trade with neighboring China.
At an interaction on "Exploring Nepal's Trade and Investment Opportunities" organized jointly by Nepal China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCCI) along with Enhancing Trade Related Capacity (ENTReC/UNDP), experts called for coordinated and coherent approach to take advantage of the huge potential.
"As Nepal is between big economies like India and China we have to mobilize our trade capacity," said Prachanda Man Shrestha, joint secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.
Presenting a paper on the topic, Dr. Tilak Rawal, former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), said that poverty alleviation cannot be achieved without economic growth. "The Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand have started taking advantage of China's growth. Nepal also needs to take advantage of the growth in its neighboring country."
"If we achieve growth, then we can adopt egalitarian approach in its distribution," he said.
Economist Professor Dr. Bishwambher Pyakuryal also presented his paper on the topic emphasizing the need to increase trade between Nepal and China . "At present, the volume of Nepal-China trade is only 5 percent of our total trade volume," he said.
He said Nepal should take advantage of China's policy of advancing developing in its western region.
President of NCCCI Rajesh Kazi Shrestha urged Nepali authorities to talk with Chinese government to ensure zero tariff market access soon. He said Special Economic Zone should be set up in Paanchkhal and Inland Container Depot be constructed in Tatopani region.
Shrestha said that since China has brought railway link up to Lhasa, Nepali traders should take advantage of the link.
