December 02, 2003

KATHMANDU:  The number of visitors arriving by air increased 45 percent in November compared to the same month last year, the Department of Immigration said.

Increased number of visitor arrivals in November 2003 (by air) among the major markets.

Arrivals from India and the third countries increased by 26 percent and 51 percent respectively. A total of 29,011 visitors came in November 2003.

Almost all the major markets made significant increases in visitor arrivals in November 2003. Arrivals from UK went up 49 percent, Germany 12 percent, France 67 percent, Japan 47 percent, Australia 24 percent and China 73 percent.

However, compared to visitor arrivals by air in 1999 November, the figures in November 2003 are still down 31 percent. The total number of visitors arriving to Nepal by air in 1999 November was 42,030; this means November 2003 figures are still short of 13,019 visitors compared to 1999.