NEPAL has registered consistent growth in arrivals over the past few years, with March alone clocking in a 37 per cent increase over the same period last year.
According to government statistics, Nepal welcomed 509,956 visitors in 2009, 602,867 in 2010 and 781,202 in 2011, while some 63,799 visitors thronged the destination in March.
India is the largest source market for Nepal, accounting for 20 per cent of tourists and registering the second largest percentage increment – it grew 69 per cent year-on-year. Germany tops the growth chart with a whopping 86 per cent increment. The other key source markets are China, Sri Lanka, the UK and the US.
Average length of stay in Nepal has hit a high of 12-13 days.
Pilgrimage drew 20 per cent of total visitors, trekking and mountaineering attracted 15 per cent, and leisure garnered 10 per cent.
Debjit Dutta, director and CEO, Impression Tourism Services, said, “Nepal is a very convenient destination for adventure tourism, pilgrimage for Hindus and Buddhists, and for leisure in cooler climates. And since there are no casinos in India, Kathmandu is a destination within easy reach for those who wish to test their luck.”
India and Nepal are linked by services operated by Jet Airways and Air India.
