KATHMANDU, Nepal–The number of tourists visiting Nepal in the month of November 2013 by air have decreased by 7.01%, compared to the same month last year. A total of 55,245 international visitors arrived in Nepal in the month of November which is less by 4,166 tourists over November 2012. In November 2012, a total of 59,411 tourists visited Nepal by air, according to Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).
Nepal observed a sustained growth in international tourist arrivals since June 2009 but suffered a decline in the second half of 2013. Experts suggest that the decrease in arrivals in November might be due to the inconsistent air fare to and from Nepal to major gateways and coinciding with the November 19 Constituent Assembly.
Such decline reflects the volatile nature of international tourist’s movement which is easily affected by factors such as cost of traveling, the situation at the destination country, the global economic trends and traveling spirit of international visitors.
Although, the IMF has estimated that the global economic growth is in low gear, the international tourist arrivals have shown increases of 5% in the first eight months compared to the same period of 2012 according to UNWTO. The Asia and the Pacific region recorded 6% more arrivals, which is largely due to the high growth of the South-East Asia region (+12%).
According to the Board, in November 2013, the number of Nepalese arrivals from Tribhuwan International Airport declined by 27% compared to the same month last year. A total of 52,970 Nepalese arrived in Nepal in November 2013, whereas this figure was 72,735 in November 2012. It is expected that the forthcoming year in tourism is going to improve as Nepal is heading towards stability.
