Tourist arrivals dip 0.30 pc

KATHMANDU:

Tourist arrivals via air fell by 0.30 per cent year-on-year in June, weighed down mostly by the decline in arrivals from South Asian and European countries.

The figures released by Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport reveal that visitor arrivals in June, 2014 decreased to 41,137 from 41,259 in June, 2013. The fall was triggered by elections in India, closure of Tibet from May 27 to June 20, and lack of connecting flights from Europe.

In aggregate, the South Asian segment registered negative growth of 1.04 per cent. India, which constitutes a major market for Nepal, recorded negative growth of 2.21 per cent, with Indian tourist arrivals dipping to 19,323 last month from 19,760 recorded in June last year.

“Tourist arrivals from India fell as many stayed back in the country to take part in general elections,” Ram Kaji Koney, former president of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, said.

Also, arrivals from Pakistan and Sri Lanka decreased by 5.54 per cent and 28.97 per cent to 392 and 103. However, the number of Bangladeshi arrivals surged by 17.43 per cent to 1,853.

Arrivals from Asia (other than South Asia) also recorded positive growth of 0.49 per cent in aggregate. Visitor arrivals from China grew by 10 per cent to 3,843 compared to the same month last year. The northern neighbour made the second highest contribution to tourist arrivals in the month of June.

Likewise, arrivals from Singapore and Thailand also increased to 466 (up 12.56 per cent) and 201 (5.79 per cent higher). South Korea, Japan and Malaysia markets, however, saw decline of 31.8 per cent, 13 per cent, and 1.98 per cent. The arrivals from these countries were 579, 609 and 1,186 this year against 849, 700 and 1,210 in June last year.

The number of Americans entering the country rose by 5.68 per cent to 3,349 in June this year.

An overall negative growth of 13.27 per cent was observed from the European markets with negative growths from markets such as the UK, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France and Germany. The number of Britons arriving into the country dropped by 10.24 per cent to 1,323.

“Lack of connecting flights from Europe is the major reason for the drop in arrival of European tourists, as Turkish Airlines is the only carrier that currently links Nepal with Europe,” Koney said. Also, closure of Tibet from May 27 to June 20, affected flow of European tourists to Nepal, another tourism expert said.

Tourist arrivals from Australia and New Zealand, meanwhile, increased by 18.69 per cent and 37.65 per cent to 978 and 117. However, number of Canadians that came to the country decreased by 15.76 per cent to 449 last month, compared to 533 recorded in June, 2013.

Source: THT