KATHMANDU, Nepal-Average tourist spending in Nepal dropped down to all time low of $34.93 per day in 2012 though the tourists’ arrival was high at that period, according to the figure released by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. Tourists spending in Nepal has continuously going down since a decade due to various reasons.
The figure was at $ 39.90 in 2001. In 2003, per day spending of tourists was at record $79.1 while the tourists spent $31.9 per day on an average in 1996, at a time the country witnessed just 393, 613 foreigners.
Last year, the numbers of foreigners visiting Nepal was all time high even though the average length of stay was shorter. The average length of stay of tourists declines to 12.87 days in 2012 from 13.12 days in 2011. According to the Ministry, Nepal received a record 803,092 tourists in 2012.
However business entrepreneurs don’t believe the data released by the Ministry labeling it ‘unnatural.’ According to them everything from hotel rooms to airfares charges are being doubled claiming that actual tourist spending figures are not reflected in the government statistics due to online paying. Some entrepreneurs believed that tourists spending in Nepal have not increased, however, they don’t agree with the latest figure published by the Ministry.
The ministry further said that 48 percent foreigners make way to Nepal for holiday and travel purpose. Tourism expert stressed the need to introduce more campaigns to heighten the per day spending of tourists in Nepal.
European tourists reduces in Chitwan
Meanwhile, the numbers of European tourists visiting in Chitwan has reduced this year following the frequent bandh called on by various political parties and their sister organization. According to hotel entrepreneurs, the tourists have been spending their time in Pokhara following haunting shut down of hotel in Chitwan.
Chitwan Jungle Lodge, Temple Tiger, Tiger Tops, Gaida Wildlife, Island Jungle Resort and Machan Wildlife located inside the Chitwan national park, one of the oldest park in Nepal have been closed down due to insecurity and frequent bandh.
Similarly, the number of safari goers has also decreased by 16,000 in compared to the last year. According to the park, it saw 1,37,626 tourist inside the park as of May in contrast to 1,54,400 at the same period , last year.
Similarly, the number of Safari goers has also decreased by 16,000 in compared to the last year. According to the park, it saw 1,37,626 tourist inside the park as of May in contrast to 1,54,400 at the same period , last year.
