Tourist arrivals soar up by 12.9%

Tourist arrivals soar up by 12.9%

Press Release February 1, 2008 The beginning of the New Year 2008 has heralded an optimistic tourism growth in Nepal in 2008. The data released by Immigration Office, TIA shows that arrivals in January has grown by 12.9 %, up by 2985 compared to the same month last year. Although decline in the arrivals from India (-12.2%) and Sri Lanka (-12.5%) have dragged down the total arrivals from SAARC region by 7 %, the European and North American markets have registered robust growth of 33.1 % and 34.3 % respectively. China (96.8%), S. Korea (5.1%), Thailand (23.2 %) and Malaysia (12.1 %) have posted a remarkable growth. It is very notable that contribution of S. Korean market in the total arrivals has come to be very significant. It has contributed more than 10 % in the total arrivals and; it is due to direct flight between Kathmandu and Seoul. The Japanese market is down by 15.3 % which could be due to irregular air service of national flag carrier, NAC, to Japan. All the European markets have shown positive growth this month, except Austria (-7.5%). The UK (33.9 %), France (78.5 %), Germany (4.5 %), Spain (28.5 %), and Netherlands (36.5 %) have recorded a significant growth showing increased consumer confidence towards the destination. It is expected that more tourists will travel to Nepal in days to come because of easy accessibility from long haul destinations and forthcoming tourist season.