Kathmandu, April 4:

Tourists arrival by air to Nepal in the month of March has recorded a 26.9 per cent growth in comparison to the same month last year, states a press release issued by Nepal tourism Board (NTB) here today.

A total of 25,553 visitors visited Nepal during the month. Among them 28 per cent were Indian tourists and 72 per cent non-Indian tourists.

Both the market segments has registered increments during the period, states a provisional figures provided today by ministry of culture, tourism and civil aviation, quoting Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

Arrival of Indian visitors has been encouraging during the month of March, as it has posted an increment by 77.2 per cent.

The strong growth from the Indian market marks the increasing consumer confidence, which had gone down markedly last year, states the release.

The other Asian markets have also registered an increment significantly (88.3 per cent) during the month.

Arrivals from Japan, Taiwan and Singapore have also doubled while persistent growth has been recorded from other Asian countries.

In the European segment, tourists arrival from France, Italy, Switzerland and Sweden has posted increments, while the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain registered a decline.

The tourists arrival from Austria, Belgium, Israel, Denmark and the Netherlands also declined, while arrivals from the United States of America and Australia both went up by 30.6 per cent and 59.6 per cent respectively.