January 2012 - Robust growth continues

International tourist arrivals to Nepal are on track to reach new milestone in 2012. The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) reveal that the tourist arrivals reached 42,031 with 27.7% of robust growth in January this year compared to the same month last year.

All regions have shown positive growths in the first month of 2012. India which constitutes the major market of Nepal, has recorded positive growth of 29.2%. In the SAARC region, arrivals from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have registered positive growth by 34.4% and 112.5% respectively. However, the arrivals from Pakistan declined by 29.6%. In aggregate, the South Asian segment has registered a positive growth of 27.7%.

Arrivals from Asia (other than South Asia) have also recorded positive growth of 42% in aggregate with all markets showing improved performance except Malaysia. The visitor's arrivals from China have increased significantly by 107%. Similarly, the arrivals from Japan, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea have also increased by 6.4%, 5.2%, 8.4%, and 7.9% respectively. Malaysia registered negative growth of 13.5% in January 2012 compared to the same month in 2011.

An overall positive growth of 22.8% has been observed from the European markets with arrivals from major generating markets such as the UK, Germany, France and Switzerland up by 4.7%, 27.9%, 88.1% and 132.4% respectively. However, the arrivals from Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden have declined by 3.8%, 9.7% and 59.9% respectively compared to the same month last year.

Tourist arrivals from Australia, Canada and USA have also registered growths of 8.6%, 27.8%,and 7.7% respectively. A negative growth of 12.2% was recorded from the New Zealand in January 2012 compared to January 2011.

Nepal has enjoyed a continuous positive growth in the international visitor arrivals since June 2009 and the trend continues in year 2012 too. These figures reflect rising confidence amidst international visitors and tour operators .

A total of 52,617 foreign tourists departed from TIA in January 2012. The number of Nepalese arrivals stood at 82,897 while 67,194 Nepalese departed from TIA in January 2012.

December 2011- Year 2011 wraps up with Sustained Growth

The year 2011 has concluded with positive notes both in terms of total visitor arrivals for the month of December and also for the whole year. The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) reveal that visitor arrivals in the month of December 2011, compared to the same month last year, have increased by 20.4% to 43,721. Also, the total number of visitor arrivals in aggregate (Jan-Dec, 2011), compared to same period in 2010, have increased by 21.4% to 544,985. Nepal received 96,216 more visitors in same period (Jan-Dec) of 2010.

In December 2011, arrivals from Asia (other than South Asia) have recorded positive growth of 31.5% in aggregate with China (107.7%) , Japan (8.1%) andSouth Korea ( 17.8%). However, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand have registered negative growth of 8.5%, 11.9%, and 20.7% respectively compared to the same month last year.

In the SAARC region, arrivals from India have grown by 26.1% but arrivals from Pakistan Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have declined by 19.2% , 29% and 40.7% respectively in December 2011. In aggregate the South Asian segment has registered a positive growth of 13.3% in the month of December and 30.1% in the year 2011.

An overall positive growth of 21.7 % has been observed from the European markets in the month of December 2011 and 11.2% in the year 2011. Arrivals from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium and Spain are up by 12.3%, 23.5%, 13.6%, 22.1%, 50.7% and 74.4% respectively. However, the Netherlands , Austria and Poland have posted a negative growth of 4.2%, 45.7% and 20% respectively .

Tourist arrivals from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA have also registered remarkable growth of 9.5%, 25.4%, 22.5% and 23.8% respectively in December 2011 compared to 2010.

The total number of visitor arrivals by land till November 2011 is 174,612. With this the number of visitors visiting Nepal in 2011 has totaled 719,547 (The arrival by land for month of December 2011 is not included).

A total of 50,840 foreign tourists departed from TIA in December 2011. The number of Nepalese arrivals stood at 60,466 while 65,247 Nepalese departed from TIA in December 2011.