KAKARVITTA: The number of tourists entering Nepal via the eastern check point, Kakarvitta, has increased in 2017.

According to Kakarvitta Immigration Office, the number of tourists entering Nepal via Kakarvitta office was 7,528 in 2017. It has increased by 1,323 tourists as compared to 2016.

The highest number of tourists were from USA and Bhutan, who visited Nepal via the eastern check point last year.

Altogether, 1,616 tourists from Bhutan and 882 from USA entered Nepal through the checkpoint in 2017, Chief of the Office Ram Prasad Phuyal said.

However, the number of Bangladeshi tourists visiting Nepal via Kakarvitta check point has decreased in 2017 as compared to 2016.

A total of 2,348 Bangladeshi tourists visited Nepal via the Kakarvitta check point in 2016 while the number was 2,025 in 2017.

The government of Nepal has prohibited on-arrival tourist visa to the nationals of countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, and Syria. The passport holders of these countries are requested to obtain tourist visa from Nepalese diplomatic mission (Embassies and Consulates) prior to their departure to Nepal, according to Department of Immigration, Nepal.