Tourist arrival up by 18 percent in October

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, Nov 3 - Nepal saw an impressive 18 percent growth in arrival of tourists via air in the month of October as compared to the same month of the last year. According to a press release issued by the Nepal Tourism Board on Saturday, the visitors' arrival data released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in October shows the healthy

growth of 18 percent-- up by 6617 tourists.

China and Sweden have registered a colossal growth of 133 percent and 91.7 percent respectively, the highest of the arrival of the overall tourists.   American markets like Canada (43.2%) and USA (40.3%) have continued to show the positive result despite their travel advisory. Denmark (88.6%), Austria (56.9%), Norway (55.4%), Belgium (50.3%), S Korea (37%) and Germany (33.3%) clearly show the revival of Nepali tourism as the peace process continues. Other upcoming markets like Bangladesh (51.1%) and Sri Lanka (56.6%) have also shown positive growth. The total arrivals in the last nine months have gone up by 30 % having

295,855 visitors by air in comparison to the same period last year.

Each country has recorded very optimistic figures except the Indian market. The cheap tour packages floated by South East Asian and European

countries have reportedly enticed the Indians, which is one of the

reasons for decline in tourist arrivals from India, according to the NTB officials.

Since Cosmic Air has already resumed its service to New Delhi and other airlines are expected to increase flight frequency in this sector soon, tourist arrival will definitely increase from India in next few months, the NTB claimed. The launch of service of Silk Air from Singapore and Etihad Airways from the United Arab Emirates in the month of October drifted positive message to the world that Nepal is a happening destination. With the operation of these two airlines, it is expected to increase the number of passengers from Singapore, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Europe.
----------------------------
"To eat bread without hope is still slowly to starve to death."