Visitor Arrivals by air continues to grow
The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA)
reveal that visitor arrivals in the month of August 2009, compared to the same
month last year, have increased by 5% to 27,676.
In August this year, there has been a robust growth of 87% in tourist arrivals
from China. Similarly, the arrivals from Japan, Singapore, South Korea and
Thailand have also increased by 27%, 44%, 21% and 9% respectively. The Asian
markets to decline in this month were Malaysia (13%) and Chinese Taipei (21%).
In aggregate the Asian segment has registered a positive growth of 26%.
In the SAARC region, arrivals from Bangladesh and Pakistan have witnessed
positive growth of 23% and 22% respectively. However the arrivals from India
have decreased by 10% compared to the same month last year. Sri Lanka also
witnessed a negative growth of 1% this month.
An overall positive growth of 11% has been observed from the European markets
with arrivals from France up by 9% , Germany by 34%, The Netherlands by 20%,
Spain by 9% and Denmark by 50%. The only market to decline in this month was the
UK by 24%.
Tourist arrivals from New Zealand and Canada have also registered robust growth
of 22% and 88% respectively. The arrivals from United States of America remained
stable whereas the Australian market declined by 4 % compared to the same month
last year.
This is the third consecutive month Nepal has witnessed positive growth in the
international tourist arrivals. Recovery in the arrivals to Nepal in the
beginning of second half of 2009 is in line with the marginal improvement
observed in some of the economies. Moreover, it also reflects the rebounding
confidence of the international tour operators and the resilient nature of
tourism economy.
A total of 33,685 foreign tourists departed from TIA in August 2009 up by 20%
compared to the same month last year. The number of Nepalese arrivals stood at
46,852 while 51,653 Nepalese departed from TIA in August 2009.
Meeting of Nepal Tourism Year Main Organsing Committee held
Second Meeting of the Main Organizing Committee of Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011
national campaign was held on August 16, 2009 under the chairmanship of Hon'ble
Tourism Minister and Chairman of Main Organizing Committee Mr. Sarat Singh
Bhandari.
During the meeting, Member-Secretary and CEO of NTB-Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha
presented the programs prepared by 14 sub-committees and 5 regional committees
through series of meeting and discussion after the first meeting on January 18,
2009 and the publicity received till date.
The Secretaries of Government of Nepal giving suggestions committed to work in
the areas concerned to their ministries for making NTY a success. Similarly
private sector participants also gave suggestions towards areas to be improved
in tourism sector.
After the discussion it was decided by the Main Organizing Committee that to
make NTY a success as a campaign wider participation in the Main Organizing
Committee should be sought, execution of programs should be done through
high-level empowered working committee under the Main Organizing Committee, and
more than 25 jobs that need to be carried on by the different ministries and the
government offices should be executed with the support of the Tourism Council.
The meeting of the Main Organizing Committee was participated by 58 persons
including Hon'ble Member of National Planning Commission-Dr. Pushkar Bajracharya,
Secretaries of different ministries, representatives of the government agencies,
Heads of tourism associations and officials of Ministry of Tourism & Civil
Aviation.
NTB Notice for Int'l Travel Trade Fair Participation
All tourism companies registered with Government of Nepal are encouraged to
apply and participate. Application form for participation is available with
Nepal Tourism Board. (The forms can be received on e-mail or downloaded from our
website)
Duly filled up forms should be submitted to Accounts Unit, Corporate Services
Department, NTB, along with full participation fees and necessary documents
before the deadline. Participation shall be allowed on first come - first served
basis.
* Rs 1,650,000 is for individual table. Cost for staying in common area will be
Rs.79,000 (max. four first time participating companies and other conditions
apply)
Interaction program on NTY 2011 held
An interaction program was organized on July 22, 2009 at Nepal Tourism Board to
discuss various issues relating tourism industry and Nepal Tourism Year (NTY)
2011. Participated by the President of almost all tourism related associations,
the program was organized in the presence of Hon'ble Minister for Tourism &
Civil Aviation Mr. Sarat Singh Bhandari.
President of the tourism associations appraised the Minister Bhandari the
difficulties faced by the private sector and the role of private sector in
making NTY 2011 a success. Minister Bhandari speaking in the program stressed in
the private sector led mechanism for tourism development in the country. He
further said the priority of the budget is focused on accessibility and
marketing of the tourism products of the country. "Instead of focusing on
trivial issues, we should seek the holistic approach to promote and develop
tourism. Issues of developing and promoting main tourism products including
attraction resources based in Terai area should be given due priority as the
sector has immense potential to attract tourists from far and wide", he said on
the occasion. Minister Bhandari said overnight change in tourism sector is not
possible, so effective plans should be formulated to mitigate present challenge
in tourism.
Talking about attracting tourist, Minister Bhandari said our tourism promoting
endeavors should be focused on our neighboring markets-India and China. He
explained the need to work together in favor of NTY 2011 campaign in the changed
context. During the interaction program Mr. Ram Kaji Koney-President of Nepal
Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA), Mr. Prasiddha Bahadur Pandey-
President of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Mr. Jyoti Adhikari- President of
Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN), Mr. Basanta Mishra- President of
Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) and other tourism entrepreneurs
expressed their views about NTY 2011 and stressed on the need to provide working
atmosphere for the private sector to play a lead role in promoting tourism in
the country and NTY 2011. Amidst the function CEO of NTB Mr. Prachanda Man
Shrestha deliberated meticulously about the ongoing and prospective elements of
tourism promotion and its present status. |
