Sustained growth in International tourist arrivals continues

The upward trend which is already seen in January 2011 continues in the fourth month of the year 2011 showing clearly the rising travel demand towards the destination. Nepal has enjoyed a sustained positive growth in the international visitor arrivals since June 2009.

The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) reveal that visitor arrivals in the month of April 2011, compared to the same month last year, have increased by 34.3% to 51,969.

All regions have shown positive growth in the second month of 2011. In aggregate, the South Asian segment has registered a positive growth of 32.5%. India which constitutes the major market of Nepal, has recorded positive growth of 38.3 %. Also, arrivals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have increased by 4.9%, 4.1% and 83.9% respectively.

Arrivals from Asia (other than South Asia) have also recorded positive growth of 18.4% in aggregate. The visitor arrivals from China have increased by 42.2%. Similarly, the arrivals from Japan, Thailand, Singapore and South Korea have also increased by 13.1%, 5.6%, 37.3% and 3.7% respectively. However the arrivals from Malaysia have declined by 9.6%.

An overall positive growth of 45.4% has been observed from the European markets with arrivals from major generating markets such as the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Russia up by 56.2%, 30.4%, 47.7%, 7%, 49.5%, 58.6%, 70.5%, 23.8% and 16.5% respectively.

Tourist arrivals from Australia and New Zealand have increased by 47.3% and 46.7% respectively. Also, the arrivals from USA and Canada saw positive growth of 25.7% and 36% respectively.

Between January to April 2011, international tourist arrivals to Nepal have risen by 18.4% to 168,958.

A total of 55,630 foreign tourists departed from TIA in April 2011. The number of Nepalese arrivals stood at 56,069 while 67,251 Nepalese departed from TIA in April 2011.

Belgian journalists on a FAM Tour to Nepal

In a bid to popularize Nepal as a tourist destination among the potential visitors in Belgium, Imagine Travel based in Belgium and Shashi’s Holidays International Travel & Tours (P) Limited have jointly organized a familiarization tour for nine Belgian journalists in Nepal in conjunction with Nepal Tourism Board.

Led by Rosenfeld Veronique, Sales & Marketing Manager of Imagine Travel, the team has visited various tourist destinations like Nagarkot, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel and Chitwan during their weeklong trip.

Mr. Aditya Baral, Director, Nepal Tourism Board said Nepal had remained very popular in Belgium for its various products and recent FAM Tour of Journalists would add mileage in promoting Nepal in Belgian market. He added Nepal Tourism Board would join hands with Nepalese tourism counterpart to facilitate endeavors of any nature to promote Nepal in the context of NTY 2011. Similarly Ms. Veronique said that the team has learned much about the various facilities and tourist attractions available in Nepal. "We have organized the familiarization trip focusing on the European market in general and the Belgian one in particular," said Ms. Yubika Bhandari, Managing Director of Shashi’s Holidays International Travel & Tours (P) Limited.

Mother’s Day observed

Nepalis across the country and abroad observed Mother’s Day on May 3, 2011 by offering greetings, fruits, sweets and gifts to their mothers. According to Hindu mythology, Mother’s Day is observed on the New Moon Day of Baishakh according to Hindu calendar, every year. Those whose mother has passed away observe the Mother’s Day by going to the nearest holy water body and worship in the name of their deceased mother with offerings. A huge carnival is held at Mata Tirtha in the western suburb of Kathmandu with thousands of people from capital Kathmandu and surrounding districts who have lost their mother thronging there for worship.

In this Issue :

Sustained growth in International tourist arrivals continues

Belgian journalists on a FAM Tour to Nepal

Mother’s Day observed

Upcoming Events

Photo Feature