The increasing trend in international visitors’ arrival figure to Nepal is also being maintained in the month of May, 2007. Month of May witnessed 49.6% growth compared to previous year’s corresponding month. A total of 27,759 visitors entered Nepal during this moth.

Indian market showed a healthy growth of over 27.9% for this month compared to last year’s May. Statistic also shows a remarkable growth in the non-Indian sector. This was based on the figures provided by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal.

The SAARC segment grew constantly high in May 2007 with the encouraging growth from Indian market, followed by Bangladesh (204.2%), Pakistan (154.5%). Sri Lanka is the only country from where the arrival trend went down by 28%. The Asian segment too registered an immense growth of 214.5% with Malaysian arrivals escalating by 496.6% along with Singapore (2958.3%). The other primary markets registering growth are Japan (18.3%), S. Korea (743.4%), Thailand (704.4.1%) and ROC Taiwan (243.2%).

European arrivals scored one-third market share during the month, with encouraging growth from major generating markets like UK (86.3%), France (94.6%) and Germany (48.4%). Rest of the European markets showed a sharp upward trend like Italy (169.4%), the Netherlands (81.6%), and Spain (55%). The Australian and USA market too, increased by 30.9% and 71.1% respectively.

Despite the increased demand for Nepal as a preferred destination, the shortage of air seats to Nepal continues to hamper further growth. The industry sources say many groups have not given up complaining about air seats availability.

However, the situation is being improved by immensely due to the enhanced destination image resulting from peace and stability emanating within the country and carrying over this message through extra innovative initiatives taken by national and international agents, airlines, missions and Nepal Tourism Board to generate a synergetic outcome by cashing in the country’s conducive environment.