Nepal has registered a notable growth in tourists visiting the country in 2012, despite the poor economic conditions that are still hampering much of the world.
Around 377,043 tourists flew into Nepal in the first eight months of 2012, 16.3 percent more than the figure recorded for the same period a year ago, according to figures released by Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport. Last month alone saw an increase of 2.5 percent, with 44,571 travellers visiting the country. A healthy growth of 21.7 percent has been reported in arrivals from the South Asian region during the first eight months of 2012, in comparison to the same period last year.
Arrivals from Asia (excluding the South Asia region) have recorded a positive growth of 0.6 percent. Visitor arrivals from Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand have recorded positive growth, while arrivals from China and Singapore have taken a downturn.
An overall positive growth has also been recorded for travellers arriving in Nepal from the European markets, with arrivals from Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Russia and Sweden all showing an increase. However, the numbers arriving from Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and the UK have all declined compared to the same period for last year. Tourist arrivals from Australia have increased, while New Zealand, USA and Canada have decreased.
Nepal has long been a favourite destination for travellers with more exotic preferences, as it is a country that is rich in history and culture and its mountainous northern region has eight of the world’s tallest ten mountains, including Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.
