Visitors Arrival in April 2007 (by air only)

The positive trend in international visitors' arrival figure to Nepal continues on a sharp upward curve with a staggering growth of 78.8% for the month of April 2007. 33,024 visitors came to Nepal during the period, which is a record high for the number of international visitors entering Nepal by air route in the month of April since 2002. Among the two major market segments, the Indian market rebounded strongly with 110% increase while the non-Indian market elevated by 70% on an average. This was based on the figures provided by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal.

The SAARC segment grew tremendously high last month with the huge growth from Indian market, followed by Bangladesh (203%), Pakistan (171.9%) and Sri Lanka (346.2%). The Asian segment too registered an immense growth of 137.4% with Japanese arrivals escalating by 90.3% along with Chinese (267%). The other markets to rise were Malaysia (90%), Singapore (81.6%), Thailand (167.1%) as well as South Korea (177.5%) and ROC Taiwan (135.6%).

European arrivals secured one-third market share during the month, with encouraging growth from major generating markets like UK (44.5%), France (58.4%) and Germany (83.6%). Except Austria which declined marginally by 7.5% rest of the European markets showed a sharp upward trend like Italy (73.4%), the Netherlands (62.3%), and Spain (9.9%). The Australian market too increased by 32.7% while USA registered a sharp incline of 92.6%.

The demand for Nepal as preferred destination has lately improved by many fold mainly due to two major reasons; the enhanced destination image resulting from peace and stability within the country, and a slightly better air connectivity. However, the shortage of air seats continues to hamper further growth as industry sources say that many groups had to be cancelled due to lack of air seats. Additionally the individual and FIT segment has risen drastically while a parallel trend has not been observed in package tours yet.

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Nepal Tourism Board Organised Sales Mission in China

In its bid to aggressively promote Nepal in the booming Chinese outbound tourism market, Nepal Tourism Board organized a Sales Mission in Chengdu, Shanghai and Beijing between March 19 and 27 , 2007 in a close association with Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Air China. Actively participated in by the private sector travel trade industry, the first session of the mission in Chengdu was enthusiastically attended by more than 110 tour operators and media persons. Nepal Tourism Board made the Naturally Nepal multimedia presentation and Air China briefed the tour operators and media about the new flight schedules between Chengdu and Kathmandu and officials from the Ministry, and NTB answered the queries raised by the journalists and tour operators. The tailor-made Business to Business (B2B) session was organised following the presentation where the Nepalese tour operators interacted with their Chinese counterparts for business promotion and negotiation.

The second leg of the mission was held in Shanghai where Nepal Tourism Board hosted an appreciation dinner in honor of the prominent journalists and tour operators who have been supporting Nepal and NTB since Nepal received Approved Destination Status in 2001. Further, NTB and the private sector participants attended the World Travel Fair 2007, the only outbound travel fair in the People's Republic of China. The fair was organized from 22 to 25 of March, 2007 and most of the ADS country showcased their tourism products and services for the aspirant Chinese travelers. Visit Pokhara Year 2007 and the new tourism brand of Nepal "Naturally Nepal-Once is not enough" were the major highlights of the Nepal stand at the WTF 2007.A large number of trade visitors and consumers visited the Nepal stand at the fair and gathered information on Nepal.

The third sitting of the mission was held in the capital city of Beijing which was attended by significantly large number of Nepal selling tour operators, media persons, writers and Nepal lovers. During the program the Nepalese and Chinese tour operators appreciated Mr. Rajaram Bartaula, First Secretary at the Nepalese Embassy in Beijing for his assurance of prompt service delivery and all necessary cooperation required for tourism promotion in China on the their part.

Similarly, NTB organized gathering of the tour operators and media in Guangzhou, the commercial and industrial hub of South China on 29 March, 2007. More than 120 tour operators and journalists attended the function. Business-to-Business session followed the presentation by NTB.

The concluding leg of the mission was held in Lhasa on 30, March 2007 where Nepal Tourism Board hosted an appreciation dinner in honor of the tour operators and media based in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region. Representative of Nepalese Consulate in Lhasa, Mr. Bharat Regmi, Consul, was also present in that occasion.

Since China relaxed the restrictions of overseas traveling to its citizens in the late 1990s, the Chinese outbound tourism market is growing by leaps and bounds. The accelerating economic growth supported by the strong domestic demand and exports have created an ever increasing demand of overseas travels among the Chinese citizens. In 2006 alone more than 34 million Chinese traveled overseas.

Although in comparison to the other destinations Nepal is receiving only a few numbers of tourists from this enormous tourism market. Tourist arrival statistics from China to Nepal in February 2007 showed an astonishing increase of 281%, compared to the same month in 2006. Lack of air links at the desired level has been one of the severe bottlenecks in the past. However, the new direct air link between Kathmandu and Guangzhou by China Southern Airlines and increased flight frequency of Air China between Kathmandu and Chengdu have enhanced the air connectivity between Nepal and China. According to the Air China Officials, Air China will operate four flights a week form Chengdu to Kathmandu via Lhasa, effective from March 29, 2007.

The Nepal delegation is headed by Mr. Ram Prasad Ghimire, Under Secretary- Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and comprised of Mr. Sagarmansingh Dangol, Under Secretary- Ministry of Finance, Mr. Kashi Raj Bhandari, Senior Officer-Nepal Tourism Board ,Mr. Jharendra Prasad Chapagain and Mr. Padam Narayan Shrestha, Section Officers - Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation,. Mr. Kishore Raj Pandey from Saathi Nepal Travels and Tours, Mr. Peter Ko from Arnkio Travels, Mr. Bishwesh Shrestha from C&K Nepal Travels and Mr. Mahadev Sharma from Peak Promotion Travels. B&B International, NTB's public relations representative in China is the coordinator of the Sales Mission.

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2nd NATTA Himalayan International Travel Mart from May 11 to 13

Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents(NATTA) organising a press conference on January 26, 2007 announced the date of 2nd NATTA Himalayan International Travel Mart-2007 which will be held from May 11 to 13, 2007 in Kathmandu. Last NATTA Himalayan International Travel Mart was held in Kathmandu in 2005. The 2nd NATTA Himalayan International Travel Mart is being organised by NATTA in close support of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Government of Nepal, Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Airlines.

Addressing the press conference Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said expressed his full confidence on the revival of tourism industry in Nepal within a short period of time. "However, it has become imperative to convey the message of peace and stability in Nepal to international travel industry," he further elaborated.

It is expected to attract more than 100 buyers form more than 30 countries for this travel mart.

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