The increasing trend in tourist arrival to Nepal continued to increase in the month of March recording a growth rate of 17.30% against the arrival figure of same period last year. According to statistical figure disseminated by Nepal Tourism Board Q.{TB), a total of 40,032 foreign visitors came to Nepal via air in March 2008.

Expect some Asian countries; arrival figures of all market segments were very encouraging in the month of March. The arrivals from India, which had been dwindling for the last few months, recorded a growth of 9%.

"European markets as a whole has registered a very optimistic figure with whopping growths from some individual markets. The arrival growths from Denmark (178%), Norway (83%), Spain (64%), Sweden (134%) and Austria (55%) are very noteworthy," the press release issued by NTB reads. It further states that the UK and USA markets reflects very promising sign of growing consumer confidence on Nepal as the UK market grew by 27 % with considerable share (10%) and the USA rose by 42% with 8% contribution in the total arrivals. Likewise, arrival from France and Germany grew by 34% and 8% respectively.

However, Japan (-19%), Malaysia (-28%), Thailand (32%),Taiwan (-47%) recorded negative growth rate in the month. The total tourist arrival in the first three months of 2008 has increased by 16% to 96,137. NTB has said that the growing trend in tourist arrival because increasing consumers’ confidence towards Nepal; good air connection between Kathmandu and other international cities; and stable political situation in the country.

(Source Tourism News Digest; April 2008 Issue)