Himalayan News Service Kathmandu, August 2 July attracted more tourists by air route. According to the Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), visitor arrivals this July increased by 10 per cent to 23,266 compared to last July. The figure jumped also due to arrivals from India that witnessed a positive growth of five per cent. Pakistan also showed an increase in arrivals by four per cent. “Despite negative growth in arrivals from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the SAARC segment showed a four per cent increase in comparison to last July,” said office staff. Chinese arrivals increased by 16 per cent along with Japan (16 per cent), Thailand (94 per cent), South Korea (three per cent) and Singapore (four per cent). The only Asian market to show decline this month was Malaysia (21 per cent). In aggregate, the Asian segment registered a positive growth of 16 per cent. European markets registered an overall positive growth of 26 per cent, said Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Arrivals from the UK have maintained the increasing trend with a significant 42 per cent. Nepal’s major tourist markets in Western Europe: France, Germany, and the Netherlands, all posted significant increases of 14 per cent, 13 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively. However, Italy recorded 16 per cent decrease in arrivals this July. Arrivals from Australia, Canada and the USA also registered robust growth of 28 per cent, 34 per cent and 13 per cent respectively. Nepal observed a remarkable growth of 15.8 per cent in April but suffered a decline in May by five per cent in visitor arrivals. All major market segments: Asia (SAARC), Asia (Other), Europe, Oceania and North America registered positive growth trends. Increase in arrivals again in June and July reflects the volatile nature of international tourism and corroborates that historically tourism has shown remarkable resilience and emerged from past crises stronger. A total of 26,167 foreign tourists departed via TIA in July 2009. Nepali arrivals and departures in July were 41,790 and 46,843 respectively.

Arrival trend

• July saw a rise by 10 per cent to 23,266 • June saw a rise by six per cent to 23,222 • May saw decrease by five per cent to 25,129 • April saw increase by 15.8 per cent to 37,819 • March saw decrease by 17.6 per cent to 33,005 • February saw decrease by 16.2 per cent to 25,181 • January saw decrease by 15.8 per cent to 21,944 (in comparison to the same months last year.)