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Tourist arrival registers handsome growth in August

The number of tourists arriving via air grew handsomely by 18 percent in the month of August compared with the same period last year.

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 Tribhuvan International Airport.

According to a press release by Nepal Tourism Board (NT B), European market registered a healthy growth of 36 percent 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," the release said.

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," the release adds.

The NTB has noted that arrival from Chinese and Korean markets are getting stronger as 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," the release adds. nepalnews.com sd Sep 08 07