Tourist arrivals soar up by 12.9%
The beginning of the New Year 2008 has heralded an
optimistic tourism growth in Nepal in 2008. The data
released by Immigration Office, TIA shows that
arrivals in January has grown by 12.9 %, up by 2985
compared to the same month last year.
Although decline in the arrivals from India (-12.2%)
and Sri Lanka (-12.5%) have dragged down the total
arrivals from SAARC region by 7 %, the European and
North American markets have registered robust growth
of 33.1 % and 34.3 % respectively. China (96.8%), S.
Korea (5.1%), Thailand (23.2 %) and Malaysia (12.1
%) have posted a remarkable growth. It is very
notable that contribution of S. Korean market in the
total arrivals has come to be very significant. It
has contributed more than 10 % in the total arrivals
and; it is due to direct flight between Kathmandu
and Seoul. The Japanese market is down by 15.3 %
which could be due to irregular air service of
national flag carrier, NAC, to Japan.
All the European markets have shown positive growth
this month, except Austria (-7.5%). The UK (33.9 %),
France (78.5 %), Germany (4.5 %), Spain (28.5 %),
and Netherlands (36.5 %) have recorded a significant
growth showing increased consumer confidence towards
the destination.
It is expected that more tourists will travel to
Nepal in days to come because of easy accessibility
from long haul destinations and forthcoming tourist
season.
Situation Update
Nepal is now prepared for the Election of
Constituent Assembly on April 10, 2008. To make it
more participatory, election campaigns are being
held in the different parts of Nepal. In a meeting
organised by seven-party alliance (SPA) on January
30, 2008 in Birgunj which is 276 kms east of
Kathmandu, minor bombs(Improvised Explosive Device)
went off outside the Narayani Stadium. The blast
injured dozens of people and there is no report of
human casualty in the incident. Tourists were not
injured in the incident as Birgunj- a bordering town
of Nepal located close to Indian city of Raxual- is
the place not frequented by tourists.
Police is investigating on the issue and high alert
security is arranged around the area. The security
personnel have re-affirmed the commitment for peace
and security for the Constituent Assembly Election.
Nepal's first time participation in Nordic Travel
Fair MATKA 2008
Nepal Tourism Board along with four Nepalese private
travel companies namely Mountain Adventure Trekking,
Snowland Travel and Tours, Makalu Adventure and
Sahara Worldwide Travels and Tours actively
participated for the first time in Nordic Travel
Fair Matka 2008, the biggest travel event in Nordic
and Baltic region, held from January 17 to 20, 2008
in Helsinki, Finland.
Inaugurated by Dr. Paavo Vayrynen, Minister for
Foreign Trade and Development, Government of
Finland, the fair had good response from the tour
operators and professionals on the first day
specially those from nearby Estonia and St.
Petersberg. The next three days were aimed at
consumers, considering the trend of the Finnish
travelers who normally shop around for the holiday
destinations during winter. There were 1,100
exhibitors from 77 countries occupying the space of
16,000 sq. meters. Visited by 9178 tour operators
and 85000 consumers, the fair showed an encouraging
prospect of Nepalese tourism in Finnish as well as
North European market.
A long feature article on Himalayas of Nepal and
cultural heritage in the MATKA issue of Panorama
magazine, written and edited by Mr. Reijo Harkonen,
Honorary PRR for NTB, fetched good interest from
quite a number of visitors in the Fair. In addition
to that, another beautiful article published in "Helsingin
Sanomat"- popular daily newspaper with the
circulation of 450,000 - on the third day of the
fair, January 19, 2008 about Annapurna trekking made
the visitors even more curious about Nepal in
general and trekking in particular. Inquiries about
Nepal by the visitors were tremendous. According to
the response of the visitors, they seemed more
interested in trekking. Yet, other natural and
cultural products have not lost any charm among the
Finnish people.
There are more than 10 Nepalese Restaurants, very
much well known among the locals, in Helsinki. Their
observation about the Finnish people's interest
about Nepal shows a great hope and prospect of the
growth of Nepalese tourism in Finland. In fact, they
can be very good platforms to increase the awareness
about Nepal's diverse tourism attractions. The
active Nepali diaspora in Finland have played a
significant role in generating public awareness
about Nepal and cultivating interests in them to
visit Nepal.
Finland's national carrier Finn Air has published
special fares for Helsinki/Delhi & Helsinki/Mumbai
sectors for MATKA 2008 making it "Fast & Easy"
travel to Nepal as well. Very soon they are going to
come out with a special Pro Rata basis fare for
Helsinki/KTM via Delhi. This definitely is a
positive sign that supports NTB's first ever
participation in Finland along with the Nepalese
travel trade.
Nepal Captured Central Stage in TTF
Chennai
Nepal's participation in TTF 2008, India's largest
Travel and Tourism Fair, in Chennai, received very
cheering response amongst Indian visitors. The Fair,
held on 18-20 January 2008, registered more than
10000 general visitors and about 650 travel trade.
Like TTF in Banglore, Nepal was projected as a
partner country in Chennai too. With the
participation of 8 Travel companies, Nepal was
center of attraction in the Fair. Visitors had
interestingly inquired the pilgrimage packages of
Muktinath, Pashupatiunath, and Mt. Kailash and other
soft adventure, leisure, and honeymoon offers. The
local media were also briefed about special
attractions of Nepalese Tourism and safety and
security situation in Nepal by NTB Officials.
The fair was inaugurated on 18 January 2007 at Raja
Muthiah and Rani Meyyammai Halls in the presence of
Sr. Rajaram, Director Tourism of Tamilnadu .
TTF had provided a single roof opportunity to the
visitors to make their travel plans, with options to
gather information on various national and
international destinations, cruise lines, hotels,
resorts, adventure attractions, pilgrimage tours
etc. A total of 140 inter/national exhibitors had
showcased and sold their travel offers. With
showcasing national and international destinations
and giving a platform for customized packages on
offer, TTF now is the largest Travel and Tourism
fair of India.
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