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European tourist number plummets

Tourist s arriving in Nepal via air in August grew by 6.34 percent to 47,397, despite a significant fall in numbers from the European market. 

According to figures released by the Nepal Tourism Board, an overall negative growth of 17.37 percent has been observed from the European markets. 

On aggregate, Nepal received 368,386 foreign visitors, down by 2.29 percent year-on-year in the first eight months (January-August) of 2013.

The figures show that the decline in tourists from India continued in August. Arrivals from India, the largest source market of Nepal, dropped by a marginal 1.67 percent in August.

In the first eight month period, Indian arrivals dropped by 18.1 percent to 103,568, with Nepal receiving 22,904 less Indian visitors.  Arrivals from China grew by 24 percent to 38,767 in the first eight months. In August alone, there were 4,978 Chinese visitors, the highest footfall after India.

The board’s figures shows that arrivals from the South Asian segment grew by 10 percent in August. Arrivals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka increased by 83.14 percent, 36.92 percent and 59.64 percent respectively.

Arrivals from Asia (other than South Asia) jumped 21.92 percent on aggregate in August. Arrivals from Japan, Singapore and Malaysia increased by 34.54 percent, 51.66 percent and 73.89 percent respectively. However, the number of Thai visitors declined by 8.53 percent.

An overall negative growth of 17.37 percent has been observed from the European markets.  Arrivals from markets such as the UK, Germany, and France were up by 2.22 percent, 10.38 percent, and 2.45 percent respectively.

However, arrivals from Spain, Italy and the Netherlands declined by 9.53 percent, 50.56 percent and 3.95 percent compared to the same month last year.

Tourist arrivals from Australia, Canada and the US increased by 39.23 percent, 6.78 percent and 16.05 percent respectively. However, arrivals from New Zealand decreased by 3.64 percent. A total of 59,335 foreign tourists departed in August 2013.

source: the kathmandu post,5 Sep 2013