Tourist arrivals to Nepal via air have increased by 9.6 percent in the month of June. Nepal Tourism Board said a total of 23,502 visitors entered Nepal through air.

According to the figures released by Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the European market has recorded a strong increase by 39 percent, keeping on the ascending trend of arrivals. The Indian market recorded a negative growth of 12.8 percent, nevertheless this market alone contributed more than 50 percent in the total arrivals by air.

Overall Asian market registered a commendable upsurge in arrivals with a notable rise of 289.5 percent from China, 235.4 percent from Taiwan and 11.7 percent from Japan.

The major tourist generating markets from both Europe and Americas registered a healthy growth this month, despite some records of negative trend from France and Italy. Canada and USA market grew by 81.4 percent and 50 percent respectively. Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway recorded a remarkable growth, more than double arrivals, compared to the corresponding month last year. Other major markets with bigger share in total arrivals from European segment like UK, Germany and Spain also showed a good growth of 48.1 percent, 7 percent and 71.7 percent respectively.

The total arrival figures till June 2007 has reached to 167,133, up by 45,538 arrivals compared to the same period last year.

“This clearly shows that tourism sector is manifesting the strong message of gradual recovery. The drop in the arrivals from Indian market, considered as a major volume market, is a matter of concern,” the NTB press release states.

“Frequent strikes, street protest and demonstration, hurdles in vehicle movement in the country, mainly in the Terai region are some of the factors contributing indirectly to retard the healthy growth of tourism,” NTB further said.