Kathmandu, August 6:

The number of tourists arriving in Nepal by air registered an increment of four per cent during July, as compared to the same period last year. This is the straight second month that tourist arrivals marked a growth in 2005. According to figures released by Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport and compiled by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a total of 19,505 tourists arrived in Nepal during the month, wh-ile18,736 tourists had come to Nepal last year during the same period. Arrivals from neighbouring markets such as India, Bangladesh and China grew markedly in the month. The number of Indian visitors improved by 23 per cent, while the non-Indian segment showed a decline. The gain in Indian arrivals, indicate the mounting confidence towards this destination.