KATHMANDU: August saw a robust increase in tourists arriving from China. According to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Immigration Office figures, visitor arrivals this August compared to last August increased by 5 per cent to 27,676.

There was growth of 87 per cent in tourist arrivals from China. Arrivals from Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand also increased by 27 per cent, 44 per cent, 21 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively. The Asian markets to decline this month were Malaysia (13 per cent) and Chinese Taipei (21 per cent). In aggregate, the Asian segment registered a positive growth of 26 per cent.

In the SAARC region, arrivals from Bangladesh and Pakistan witnessed positive growth of 23 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively. However, arrivals from India decreased by 10 per cent compared to last August. Sri Lanka also witnessed a negative growth of 1 per cent.

An overall positive growth of 11 per cent was seen in the European markets with arrivals from France up by 9 per cent, Germany 34 per cent, The Netherlands 20 per cent, Spain 9 per cent and Denmark 50 per cent. The only market to decline in this month was the UK by 24 per cent.

Tourist arrivals from New Zealand and Canada also registered good growth of 22 per cent and 88 per cent, respectively. Arrivals from the United States remained stable while the Australian market declined by 4 per cent compared to last August.

This is the third consecutive month that Nepal has witnessed positive growth in international tourist arrivals. Recovery in the arrivals to Nepal in the beginning of the second half of 2009 is in line with the marginal improvement observed in some of the economies.

Moreover, it reflects the rebounding confidence of international tour operators and resilient nature of tourism sector.

A total of 33,685 foreign tourists departed from TIA in August 2009 — up by 20 per cent compared to last August. The number of Nepalese arrivals stood at 46,852 and departures at 51,653.