Tourist arrivals in Nepal increase by 9 pct in July

The tourist arrivals in Nepal via air increased by 9.2 percent to 38,453 in the month of July compared to the same month last year.

According to figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the only international airport in the country, the arrivals from South Asian region gained overall positive growth of 18.3 percent with mixed performance in the month of July.

The arrivals from India and Pakistan increased by 24.3 percent and 27.1 percent respectively whereas Bangladesh and Sri Lanka markets declined by 34.2 percent and 44.6 percent respectively.

Visitor arrivals from Asia (other than South Asia region) also recorded positive growth of 8.5 percent with China 27.2 percent, Japan 28.4 percent and Malaysia 19.4 percent. However arrivals from Singapore, South Korea and Thailand have registered negative growths of 23.2 percent, 9.1 percent and 58 percent respectively.

"Aggregate visitor arrivals continue to rise by 18.5 percent to 332,472 for the period between Jan.-July 2012 compared to the same month last year. Almost all the markets have exhibited positive results," said Nepal Tourism Board in a press statement.

A total of 43,969 foreign tourists departed from TIA in July 2012. The number of Nepalis arrivals stood at 50,862 while 73,193 departed from TIA in July.

Sourced: globaltimes