June records marginal decline in tourist arrival
Tourist arrival to Nepal via air continued to decline in the month of June as Nepal received 7 % less visitors in the moth as compared to same period last year.
According to arrival figures disseminated by Immigration Office, Tribhuwan International Airport, only 21,901 visitors came to Nepal in June, 2008 against 23,502 in June, 2007. However, the total tourist arrival via air in the first six months of 2008 has increased by 6% to 177,163 against the arrival of same period last year.
Among the major tourist generating markets, UK and France registered a growthof 2% and 8% respectively whereas USA and Spain declined by 7% each while Germany declined by 31%. The Netherlands and Denmark recorded a strong growth rate of 20% and 35% for the period.
Though the Indian arrival declined by 8% as compared to June 2007, it contributed more than 52% in the total arrival for June, 2008. The Asian market witnessed remarkable increment with Bangladesh (64%), Pakistan (73%), Sri Lanka (46%) and Singapore (42%) recording impressive growth rates.
The decrease in tourist arrival can be attributed to political uncertainty in the country and the closure of Tibet by China. Most of Indian and foreign visitors used Nepal as a transit point for Tibetan Autonomous Region of China.