Tourist arrivals up for first time in 21 months

February 2, 2003
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Tourist arrivals were up for the first time in nearly 21 months, with arrivals up by 19 percent in January compared to the same month the previous year, the Department of Immigration said Sunday.

Indian visitors’ singly contributed a 38 percent growth whereas third country growth remained at 11 percent; a total of 16,103 tourists visited Nepal for the month with a net increase of 2,527 visitors, the Department said.

Growth continues in arrivals from major markets like Japan, USA, UK and quite significantly from China. Chinese market, which was predominantly sluggish throughout last year, showed a record growth of 53 percent January 2003.

Japanese arrival grew by 23 percent whereas USA and UK showed growth by 24 percent and 14 percent respectively. The other smaller markets showing gains were Austria, Denmark, Israel, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Taiwan, the Department said.

One of the major generating markets from Europe, Germany continued to decline in January; French market declined two percent and Australian by 16 percent.

The third country total which stood at 10,568 with an overall increase by 11 percent compared to 2002 January, increased 66 percent for the month.

“The positive trend in tourist arrival in January and the recent announcement of cease-fire in Nepal on  January 29th is expected enhance the arrival pattern even further in coming months,” the department said.

Arrivers had started declining after the June 1 2001 Narayanhiti Royal Palace massacre.