Tourist arrival increases in April

After the establishment of peace and stability in the country, the tourist arrival has showed a positive trend as arrival of the tourists via air route increased by a whopping 78.8 percent in April 2007.

According to the data of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a total of 33,024 visitors came to Nepal during the period which is highest number international visitors coming to Nepal by air route in the month of April since 2002.

The arrival of Indian tourists increased by 110 percent as compared to the same period last year.

Arrival of tourists from the SAARC region grew tremendously during the period. Arrivals from Asian continent grew by 137.4 percent during the period.

European arrivals secured one-third-market share during the month, with encouraging growth from major generating markets like UK by 44.5 percent, France by 58.4 percent and Germany by 83.6 percent.

The number of Austrian tourists declined marginally by 7.5 percent, while rest of the European markets showed a sharp upward trend like Italy by 73.4 percent, the Netherlands by 62.3 percent, and Spain by 9.9 percent.

The Australian market too increased by 32.7 percent while USA registered a sharp increment of 92.6 percent during April.

"The demand for Nepal as preferred destination has lately improved by many fold mainly due to two major reasons; the enhanced destination image resulting from peace and stability within the country, and a slightly better air connectivity,” a news release issued by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said.

The NTB, however said that shortage of air seats continued to hamper further growth as industry sources complained that many groups had to be cancelled due to lack of air seats.