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Nepal : Tourist arrivals down in 2021

Nepal : Tourist arrivals down in 2021

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Kathmandu: Nepal received 150 ,962 international visitors both by air and land routes in the year 2021. The tourist arrival figure was 230,085 in 2020 and 11,97,191 in 2019.

According to the Department of Immigration, a total of 150962 visitors came by air and land routes from January to December 2021. Nepal welcomed the highest number of tourists from India last year, the largest tourist source for the country since long.

Tourist arrivals from India in the year 2021 was 64673, almost 43 per cent of total tourist arrivals in the country, whereas the number of Chinese tourists visiting Nepal was 6196 in 2021.

A total of 209,611 Indian tourists visited Nepal while 169,543 Chinese tourists visited Nepal in 2019. The tourist arrivals have decreased from both the countries in the year 2020 and 2021 due to effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

Nepal received 71, 610 tourists from five South Asian countries – Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka in 2021.

Likewise, arrivals from the United States were 22,853 in 2021, whereas the arrival figure from United Kingdom was 8,680 last year.

The European arrivals have increased slightly in comparison to the arrival figure of 2020. More than 25,000 tourists visited Nepal from different European countries in 2021.

Top 10 international tourist arrivals – 2021

India 64,673

China 6,196

Bangladesh 5044

Germany 2,931

France 2,829

Australia 2475

Canada 2438

Russia 2107

2 January , 2022

Image – Visitors at TIA ( Photo- Travel Biz News )

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UNWTO becomes “UN Tourism” 

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) enters a new era  with a new name and brand: UN Tourism. With this new brand, the Organization reaffirms its status as the United Nations specialized agency for tourism and the global leader of tourism for development, driving social and economic change to ensure that “people and planet” are always center stage.

UN Tourism: Transforming tourism for a better worldTo achieve this goal, UN Tourism engaged the services of Interbrand, the leading global branding agency. Interbrand successfully translated the Organization’s renewed vision for tourism into a new visual identity and brand narrative.

This involved renaming the Organization, transitioning from UNWTO to UN Tourism. At the same time, a new brand narrative was meticulously crafted, one that seamlessly aligns with UN Tourism’s central mission and priorities. This narrative pivots around three main messages: the UN as a global altruistic organization, the notion of connecting humans around the world, and the concept of proactivity and movement.

Enhancing the well-being of individuals, safeguarding the natural environment, stimulating economic advancement, and fostering international harmony are key goals that are the fundamental essence of UN Tourism

By moving away from acronyms, UN Tourism adopts a more approachable stance and capitalizes on its strengths: the “UN”, signifying authority, and tourism, a simple and relatable concept for all. This change has been endorsed by the Organization’s membership, highlighting its united support for the profound transformation and reinvention of UN Tourism in recent years, as it has become more agile, visible, and ever closer to its Member States, partners and the sector as a whole.

With 160 Member States and hundreds of private sector affiliates, UN Tourism has its headquarters in Madrid, Spain, and Regional Offices in Nara (Japan) covering Asia & Pacific, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) for the Middle East, as well as forthcoming Regional Offices for the Americas (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Africa (Morocco). Its priorities center on promoting tourism for sustainable development in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Global Goals. UN Tourism promotes quality education, supports decent jobs in the sector, identifies talent and drives innovation and accelerates tourism climate action and sustainability . – UN Tourism Jan. 2024

TAT launches

“Thais Always Care”  Campaign 

“The Tourism Authority of Thailand launches ‘Thais Always Care’ campaign in collaboration with other organizations to ensure tourists’ safety and enhance positive image.”

The “Thais Always Care” online communication campaign was officially launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with the Tourist Police Bureau, Grab Taxi (Thailand), and Central Pattana (CPN) to ensure the safety and welcome of tourists from around the world. The campaign aims to provide seamless travel experiences for visitors to Thailand while also reinforcing the positive image of the country as a safe destination.

The campaign reflects Thailand’s renowned hospitality and warmth to visitors, showcasing the country as a desirable destination for tourists. “CARE” stands for Compassion, Assistant, Relief, and Elevate, encompassing the generosity of the Thai people and their commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable travel experience for tourists.

Partners involved in the campaign have strengthened their safety measures and are utilizing technology to ensure the safety of tourists in Thailand. This includes installing CCTV cameras, implementing strict security checks at department stores, and utilizing technology like the “POLICE I LERT U” application to offer emergency assistance to international visitors. The campaign will also involve working with international KOLs to enhance the positive image of Thailand’s tourism assets and reinforce the country’s reputation as a safe destination. -Tourism Authority of Thailand

China’s resort island receives

90 m tourists in 2023

More than 90 million domestic and overseas tourists visited south China’s tropical island province of Hainan in 2023, up 49.9 percent year on year, local authorities said .

Hainan’s total tourism revenue surged 71.9 percent year on year to about 181.3 billion yuan (about 25.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, according to the provincial department of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports.

Last year, Hainan experienced rapid development in cruise tourism. Cruises to the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea saw 400 trips, up 277.8 percent year on year, and received 149,400 domestic tourists, up 405.33 percent.

This year, Hainan aims to receive 99 million tourists and its tourism revenue is expected to reach 207 billion yuan. The province aims to receive more than 1 million inbound tourists in 2024.

China aims to build Hainan into an international tourism and consumption center by 2025 and a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035. – Xinhua

Vietnam  to welcome 17-18

million  tourists  this year

Việt Nam’s tourism industry has set a target to welcome 17-18 million foreign visitors in 2024, approaching the pre-pandemic record in 2019 when COVID-19 had yet to disrupt global travel.

In 2023, the figure hit 12.6 million, surpassing the initial target set earlier in the year (before China, which accounted for a third of foreign arrivals to Việt Nam pre-pandemic, announced reopening plans) by 57 per cent and achieving the adjusted goal of 12-13 million.

The number of domestic travellers, meanwhile, stood at 108 million, up 6 per cent compared to the set target. Tourism activities generated about VNĐ678 trillion (US$27.85 billion) in revenue, 4.3 per cent higher than the yearly plan.

Despite substantial recovery in 2023, the Việt Nam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) said the domestic tourism recovery will still face challenges in the year ahead. This is particularly true in the context of the unpredictable global developments stemming from economic uncertainties, regional conflicts and climate change.

Việt Nam’s socio-economic conditions remain stable; the economy continues to grow and inflation has been kept in check. But the persistent threat of disease and natural disasters are likely to create uncertainty affecting production, business activities and the daily lives of citizens.

According to forecasts from the UN World Tourism Organisation and the World Travel and Tourism Council, international travel activities may fully recover by the end of 2024, reaching the levels achieved in 2019. However, the recovery is expected to be uneven across different regions.

The ever-changing demands of international tourists require higher standards in product quality, diversity and unique experiences. The trends of integrating information technology, artificial intelligence and digital transformation are envisioned to drive the emergence of new forms of tourism.

Based on these analyses and projections, Việt Nam aims to serve 17-18 million foreign and 110 million domestic visitors this year, with an expected total revenue from tourism nearing VNĐ840 trillion.

To achieve the stated objectives, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Văn Hùng has instructed the VNAT to continue focusing on advising and improving the institutional framework, policies, reviewing identified deficiencies for adjustment, and international commitments in the field of tourism. Collaboration with other ministries and sectors is emphasised to formulate policies for developing various types of products such as agricultural tourism and digital transformation in tourism. He also noted the need for attention on strengthening tourism statistics and digital transformation to enhance the effectiveness of data collection, providing reliable figures to efficiently support tourism policy planning.

The ministry also calls for enhanced training for tourism officials and workers to meet requirements of new situations, especially in terms of language proficiency and technology expertise. — VNS

Global Medical Tourism market 

USD 136.93 billion in 10 years

Newark, Jan. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Brainy Insights estimates that the USD 20.07 billion in 2022 global Medical Tourism market will reach USD 136.93 billion by 2032. There is a growing trend towards health and wellness tourism, with individuals seeking medical treatments, preventive care, wellness programs, and holistic health experiences. Medical tourism destinations can capitalize on this trend by offering comprehensive health and wellness packages.

Furthermore, integrating digital health technologies, including telemedicine, virtual consultations, and electronic health records, can enhance the accessibility and coordination of medical tourism services. Digital platforms can streamline pre-travel consultations, post-treatment follow-ups, and information exchange between healthcare providers and patients. Introducing new and advanced medical treatments, therapies, and procedures can attract medical tourists seeking cutting-edge healthcare solutions. Countries and healthcare providers that stay at the forefront of medical innovation can position themselves as leaders in the industry.

In addition, customized and personalized medical tourism packages catering to individual patient’s unique needs and preferences present an opportunity for service providers. Tailoring experiences that include cultural activities, recovery retreats, and concierge services can set providers apart in a competitive market.

Besides, wellness tourism, including genetic testing and personalized health assessments, is gaining traction. Medical tourism destinations can offer specialized wellness packages, including genetic evaluations and preventive health screenings, to attract individuals interested in proactive healthcare.

China eases visa application for US tourists

BEIJING: China will simplify visa applications for tourists from the United States from Jan 1, cutting the documents required, according to a notice on Friday (Dec 29) on the website of the Chinese embassy in Washington.

The move is the latest by China to revive tourism and boost the world’s second-largest economy following a slump during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tourist visa applicants in the US will no longer need to submit air ticket bookings, hotel reservations or an invitation letter, the embassy’s notice said.

Beijing earlier cleared the way for passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia to visit the country without visas from Dec 1.Visa-free treatment will run for 12 months, during which tourists from those six countries can visit China for up to 15 days. China also expanded its visa-free transit policy to 54 countries in November.

The number of inbound tourists to the country plummeted during the pandemic due to the country’s strict COVID-19 control policies.

China’s visa-free policy facilitates

travels from 6 countries

Around 214,000 people from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia entered China in December 2023, an increase of 28.5 percent compared with November, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA).

China’s unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from these countries took effect on December 1, facilitating inbound travels from there.

Of these inbound trips, 118,000 were made by ordinary passport holders without a visa, accounting for 55.1 percent of all inbound trips from the six countries during this period. Around 91,000 visa-free entries were made for travel and business.

Thanks to the visa-free policy, ports in the southern Chinese city of Nanning welcomed many inbound travelers. Data showed that 121 inbound travel groups of nearly 2,800 people entered China through ports in Nanning in December.

Since the inception of the visa-free policy, ports in Beijing had, by December 31, witnessed more than 12,000 visa-free entries from the relevant countries.

The NIA pledged more optimized entry-exit management policies for foreigners to facilitate their business, study, work, and life in China.

International flights to China have picked up since Beijing dropped COVID-19 restrictions a year ago but are still only at 60 per cent of 2019 levels. – Xinhua

tourist arrival in nepal 2021

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World Tourism Day 2021: ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’

In 2019, Travel & Tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact accounted for: -US$8.9 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP -10.3% of global GDP -330 million jobs, 1 in 10 jobs around the world -US$1.7 trillion visitor exports (6.8% of total exports, 28.3% of global services exports) -US$948 billion capital investment (4.3% of total investment)

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Nepal Tourist Arrivals

Tourist arrivals in nepal increased to 614148 persons in 2022 from 150962 persons in 2021. tourist arrivals in nepal averaged 341677.66 persons from 1964 until 2022, reaching an all time high of 1197191.00 persons in 2019 and a record low of 9388.00 persons in 1965..

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Nepal Visitor Arrivals Growth

  • Nepal Visitor Arrivals grew 43.6 % in Jan 2024, compared with an increase of 42.2 % in the previous month
  • Nepal Visitor Arrivals Growth rate data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1992 to Jan 2024
  • The data reached an all-time high of 162,271.4 % in Apr 2021 and a record low of -100.0 % in Apr 2020
  • In the latest reports, Nepal Visitor Arrivals recorded 96,568.0 person in the month of Dec 2023
  • Tourism Revenue of Nepal reached 61.6 USD mn in Dec 2021, a decrease of 66.6 % change from the previous year

View Nepal's Visitor Arrivals Growth from Jan 1992 to Jan 2024 in the chart:

Nepal Visitor Arrivals Growth

What was Nepal's Visitor Arrivals Growth in Jan 2024?

Nepal Visitor Arrivals grew 43.6 % in Jan 2024, compared with an increase of 42.2 % in the previous month See the table below for more data.

Visitor Arrivals Growth by Country Comparison

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Tourist Arrival Slightly Improved In Nepal

tourist arrival in nepal 2021

A slight improvement has been seen in foreign tourist arrivals in February 2021 reports RSS.

Looking at the latest foreign tourist arrival rate, the number of incoming foreign tourists is seen gradually increasing even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to RSS, a total 18 thousand 20 foreign tourists arrived Nepal in the first two months of 2021, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) stated quoting the Department of Immigration.

According to NTB, eight thousand eight hundred and forty seven foreign tourists came to Nepal in January while nine thousand 146 foreign tourists arrived in February.

NTB spokesperson Mani Lamichhane said the tourist arrival was improving in the recent months. It is improving compared to the foreign tourist arrival rate in the COVID-19 period.

He said 1,956 foreign tourists arrived in Nepal in November and 4,245 foreign tourists visited Nepal in December 2020.

Eight thousand 874 foreign tourists arrived in January and 9,146 foreign tourists in February this year. This number includes only the foreign tourists arriving by air.

In February, the highest number of tourists (4,763) in Nepal was from India.

In February, 2020, 14,840 tourists had arrived from India which is 67.9 percent less than of the previous year. During that period, only 708 Chinese had visited Nepal and this figure is 77.9 percent less than of the previous year.

In February 2020, a total of 3,207 tourists had come to Nepal and 502 were from the US and 126 were from the Germany. Though the COVID-19 pandemic continues, vaccination against it has kicked off and the number of infected is on the gradual fall and in his context, entrepreneurs except the rise in tourists arrivals.

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Wednesday, 28 February 2024 11:30 AM

Nepal welcomes 150,962 tourists in 2021

Published On: January 3, 2022 02:23 PM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal

Nepal welcomes 150,962 tourists in 2021

KATHMANDU, Jan 3: A total of 150,962 tourists have visited Nepal in 2021. The number is 34.4 percent less as compared to the tourist arrival data of 2020. Nepal welcomed 230,085 tourists in the year 2020.

Tourists from Europe constitute the largest share of the tourists that visited Nepal in the year. According to the data compiled by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), 25,305 tourists from European countries came to Nepal which is still 30 percent less from the previous year.

Arrival of foreigners from U.S.A., India and Bangladesh went up as compared to the year 2020. A total of 22,853 tourists from the U.S.A., 64,673 from India and 5,044 tourists arrived in Nepal in 2021.

However, the arrival of Chinese tourists declined by 67.8 percent. Last year 19,257 Chinese tourists visited Nepal, whereas this year the number dropped to 6,196.  

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Tourists Arrival in Nepal: A Remarkable Revival in 2023

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Nepal, known for its breathtaking landscapes, towering peaks, and rich cultural heritage, has long been a favoured destination for global tourists. September 2023 witnessed a commendable rise in tourist arrivals by air, revealing a promising picture of the tourism sector’s resilience and revival.

A Glimpse into the Figures

According to the NTB , in September 2023, the number of tourists that arrived in Nepal by air was a staggering 91,012. This shows a significant growth compared to the previous years:

  • 2023 : 91,012
  • 2022 : 58,314
  • 2021 : 9,907
  • 2019 : 92,604

The numbers from 2020 and 2021 underscore the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global travel industry, particularly on Nepal’s tourism sector. However, the data from 2023 indicates a remarkable recovery, bringing the sector almost at par with the 2019 levels.

Moreover, the departure figures for September 2023 were reported at 69,422, whereas the cumulative number of tourists from January to September stood at an impressive 6,92,372.

When comparing the tourist arrival figures of 2023 to those of 2019, one of Nepal’s pre-pandemic peak years for tourism, the revival rate is a notable 98.28%.

Leading Tourist Generating Countries

The top 10 nations from where tourists arrived in Nepal in September 2023 are:

  • India : 28,694
  • China : 8,174
  • USA : 7,364
  • Bangladesh : 3,716
  • Australia : 3,685
  • United Kingdom : 3,640
  • Sri Lanka : 3,011
  • Germany : 2,852
  • South Korea : 2,018
  • Israel : 1,734

With its proximity and cultural ties, India continued to lead the chart, followed by China and the USA. The diversity in the list of top 10 countries is a testament to Nepal’s universal appeal, drawing visitors from different parts of the world.

Rekindling the Tourism Flame

Several factors contributed to this resurgence in tourist arrivals:

  • Health and Safety Protocols : With the successful rollout of vaccines and robust health protocols, tourists feel more confident about travelling.
  • Promotional Campaigns : Nepal’s government, in collaboration with various tourism bodies, launched numerous promotional campaigns to attract visitors.
  • Pent-up Demand : After prolonged lockdowns and travel restrictions, there is a significant demand for travel and experiences, with Nepal being a top choice for nature and adventure seekers.
  • Diversified Tourism Offerings : Beyond trekking and mountaineering, Nepal has been promoting its cultural, religious, and wellness tourism offerings.

Looking Forward

The swift rebound of tourist arrivals in Nepal is a beacon of hope for the country’s tourism sector. With continued efforts, collaboration between governmental bodies and tourism stakeholders, and ongoing promotional campaigns, Nepal is well on its path to not just recovery but possibly even exceeding its past tourism records.

Nepal’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its tourists, coupled with its unparalleled natural and cultural offerings, will undeniably see the nation shine as a leading global tourist destination.

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Foreign arrivals in Nepal down nearly 35 pct in 2021

tourist arrival in nepal 2021

KATHMANDU, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Foreign arrivals in Nepal slumped by nearly 35 percent in 2021 as the South Asian country struggled to recover from a devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, showed latest data from the Nepal Tourism Board.

Nepal welcomed 150,962 foreign tourists in 2021, a drop of 34.4 percent from 230,085 in 2020. While visitors from India and the United States increased handsomely, arrivals declined from almost all the other source markets including China.

A total of 64,673 Indian and 22,853 U.S. nationals visited Nepal in the past year, up 60.3 percent and 28.6 percent year on year, respectively, showed the tourism board figures.

A decline in tourist arrivals particularly from China turned out to be the major factor behind the overall slump, as China had remained the second largest source market after India for Nepal's tourism industry for more than a decade till 2020, showed the data.

Only 6,196 Chinese tourists landed in Nepal in 2021, as regular passenger flights between the two neighbors had remained suspended over COVID-19.

While tourist arrivals fell, Nepal saw a good number of foreigners coming for mountaineering and trekking in the past year, with a record 408 permits issued for scaling the world's highest Mt. Qomolangma alone.

"In 2021, as many as 34,000 foreigners visited Nepal for trekking purpose, far higher than 2020," Khum Bahadur Subedi, president of Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal, told Xinhua.

"But the tourism industry as a whole continued to suffer in 2021 and the government needs to continue its policy of welcoming vaccinated foreign tourists to ensure the survival of the industry," said Subedi. Enditem

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Total number of tourist arrival in Nepal 2021

tourist arrival in nepal 2021

Nepal has received more than 125000 visitors in the year 2021. The total number of tourist from January to November of 2021 is 126293. The tourist arrival is gradually incr asing from the last  four months in Nepal. As December is yet to end, the stats for this month will be updated in a couple of days or so.

Here is the total number of tourist arrival in each month from January to November by air

January: 8874

February: 9146

March: 14977

April: 22450

August: 5917

September: 9898

October: 23284

November: 26135

December (update): 24643 

Now that the tourist arrival for December is updated, the total of 1,50,962 tourists arrived in the year 2021 by air and land.

Source: Immigration Department Nepal/ Compiled by Nepal Tourism Board (M.R. Lamichhane)

Nepal did open its borders to the tourists from mid 2021 but partially with a handful of travel restrictions. The Government and concerned authorities were busy with vaccination programs. Finally, after things got slightly smooth with traveling, Nepal opened the door to the tourists from September and started providing on arrival visas for the visitors later that month. 

As a result, we can see that the number of tourist arrival did increase from last couple of months. 

Beside the new variant of corona virus, there has not been any other issues related to the corona virus in the last few months. Along with the exceptions from the visitors traveling from or within some of the African countries, the travel restrictions for the visitors are as much relaxed as it was first mentioned. So we can expect similar number of tourist arrival like past couple of months in December. 

The above information of tourist arrival is only taken from the number of tourists who flew by air to Nepal. As a landlocked country, air way is the primary source of tourists arriving in Nepal but the Himalayan nation also receives visitors from neighbouring country who travel via land. 

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Nepal welcomes one million tourists, a post-Covid record

Nepal welcomes one million tourists, a post-Covid record

Sangam Prasain

Things are looking up for Nepali tourism.

The country welcomed 1 million tourists between January and December, following China’s border reopening and record arrivals from India.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, the country’s tourism promotional body, the arrival numbers crossed the million mark on Wednesday, the first time in four years.

This is the third instance that Nepal has received over a million tourists.

The rise in tourist arrivals has cheered the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led administration at a time when other economic indicators are poor and the country is witnessing a massive out-migration due to the lack of decent job opportunities at home.

Arrivals crossed the coveted one-million mark for the first time in 2018, with 1.17 million foreign tourists streaming into the country.

In 2019, the number rose slightly, to 1.19 million, following better flight connectivity with several Chinese cities.

Then the Covid pandemic started in early 2020, bringing arrivals to a standstill.

“It’s a moment to cheer. We have crossed a million milestone again,” said Mani Raj Lamichhane, spokesman for the Nepal Tourism Board. “Though we have recovered 85 percent, there is a lot to do.”

Nepal received 230,085 and 150,962 tourists in 2020 and 2021, respectively. In 2022, the foreign tourist numbers shot up to 614,869.

Travel restrictions and an economic slowdown triggered by the Covid pandemic delivered a massive blow to Nepal's burgeoning tourism industry, decimating revenues and profits after 2020.

Following the recovery in arrivals, profit levels of most luxury hotels surpassed pre-pandemic figures as the end of social restrictions unleashed pent-up demand for parties and conventions, hoteliers said.

India was the top tourist source market for Nepal, with a cumulative number of arrivals at 314,000 as of December 27, followed by the United States (100,000) and China (60,000), according to the board statistics.

Nepal welcomed an all-time high number of Indian visitors.

As the Tibetan authorities denied access to nearly 50,000 Indian pilgrims who had booked the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year, they were forced to visit Nepal’s holy places like Muktinath and Lumbini on the same package, tour operators dealing with the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra package told the Post.

Indian visitors entering Nepal over land are not counted as tourists.

In 2019, according to the government’s statistics, the country had received 254,150 Indian travellers.

According to Lamichhane, Chinese tourist arrivals rose sharply following the opening of the borders and increased flight movement from the northern neighbour.

In March, Beijing allowed its citizens to travel to Nepal as tourists after more than three years.

Since March 15, the Chinese government allowed its national travel agencies and online travel companies to resume, on a pilot basis, outbound group tours for Chinese citizens to some countries, including Nepal.

China was Nepal’s second-largest tourism source market after India before the start of the Covid pandemic.

Arrivals from the northern neighbour were blocked after all flights linking China and Nepal were suspended.

Chinese arrivals to Nepal had crossed the 100,000 mark for the first time in 2013, largely due to the improved air links between the two countries. In 2014, Nepal received 123,805 Chinese visitors.

The back-to-back 2015 earthquake and the blockade by India led to arrivals from China dropping to a four-year low of 64,675 individuals in 2015, down 47.76 percent from 2014.

The surface road at the Tatopani border point where Nepal used to receive a large number of Chinese tourists was also blocked.

On December 25, 2015, Nepal announced visa exemption for Chinese tourists, giving them the same treatment accorded to South Asian visitors, in a bid to revive flagging arrivals. The ‘free-visa’ scheme was implemented in January 2016.

Thereon, tourist arrivals from China started rising steadily, and Nepal saw a strong 46.8 percent growth in tourist arrivals from China, to reach 153,633 visitors in 2018.

In 2019, Nepal received a record 169,543 Chinese tourists.

The number fell to 19,257 in 2020. In 2021 and 2022, there were 6,198 and 9,599 Chinese tourists in Nepal—comprising mostly diplomats and those who got stranded in third countries who came to Nepal when Beijing enforced never-ending lockdowns.

At a time of booming Chinese economy, Nepali investors started to build more and more luxury hotels.

Instead of serving a bucket in the bathroom as preferred by Indian tourists, hoteliers say, they started serving noodles.

Kishore Raj Pandey, chairman of Saathi Nepal Travel and Tours, who was the first person to bring Chinese tourists to Nepal in 2001, said he had a booking for 200 Chinese tourists in January.

“So far, it’s a good business season for us.”

He said the number of Chinese visitors may increase during their week-long holiday from February 10 to 17, next year.

However, most tour operators complain about the poor roads connecting tourist hotspots like Chitwan, Pokhara and Lumbini with Kathmandu.

“It takes six hours to reach Chitwan from Kathmandu nowadays and 12 hours to reach Pokhara,” said Pandey.

“The airfare is expensive.”

Tour operators say that the government can, at the least, provide subsidies for airlines and make airfare for foreign passengers equal to the airfare for domestic passengers until the road projects are completed.

For instance, airlines charge $85 for a 25-minute Kathmandu-Pokhara flight. For a Nepali passenger, the airfare on the same route is almost half.

Travel and tour operators say that the return of Chinese tourists to Nepal could give a big boost to Nepal’s economy. A Chinese tourist currently spends between $300 and $400 for a week-long package, excluding shopping.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have said in their reports that Nepal’s economy is expected to rebound with a strong growth in tourism.

According to Lamichhane of the Nepal Tourism Board, if Nepal’s two new international airports in Bhairahawa and Pokhara are better promoted, the arrivals figure may double to 2 million next year.

The geopolitical tussles over the two international airports may not bode well for the country’s tourism, say observers.

They said the government should act wisely to promote the airports—one, a gateway to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha and the other, an entrypoint to Annapurna, a popular destination for trekkers. 

Sangam Prasain Sangam Prasain is Business Editor at The Kathmandu Post, covering tourism, agriculture, mountaineering, aviation, infrastructure and other economic affairs. He joined The Kathmandu Post in October 2009.

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IMAGES

  1. Nepal Tourist Arrivals 2021: 8,874 Foreigners Visit the Nation in

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  2. Updates: New Guidelines on Arrival in Nepal

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  3. FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS FROM TOURISM AND TOURIST ARRIVAL IN NEPAL

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  4. Tourist Arrival in Nepal by Major Countries: Sep 2019

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  5. TOURIST ARRIVAL BY TOP 5 COUNTRIES

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  6. Foreign tourist arrivals cross one million mark

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COMMENTS

  1. Nepal Visitor Arrivals [Chart-Data-Forecast], 1991

    Buy for $99 More Indicators for Nepal Latest data and research on visitor arrivals and tourism industry in Nepal. Explore expert forecasts and historical data on economic indicators across 195+ countries.

  2. Tourism is reviving, March data show

    According to the Nepal Tourism Board, the number of foreign visitors entering the country last year totalled 150,962, a long way from the 1.19 million arrivals in pre-Covid 2019. Nepal's tourism industry in 2021 sank to its lowest in four and a half decades and revenues hit rock bottom, making a big dent in the country's economy. The ...

  3. Nepal tourism eyes new start as COVID departs

    Advertisement Tourists are returning to Nepal as the Himalayan country lifted pandemic travel restrictions after a steady drop in coronavirus cases. Visitors can again take advantage of a...

  4. Nepal sees highest post-Covid monthly arrivals in October

    Kathmandu. Nepal saw the highest post-Covid monthly arrivals in October, pushing the total number since the start of the year across the 100,000 mark. Insiders said the surge could signal the beginning of a rebound in the tourism industry, which has been flat on its back since the first lockdown in March 2020 when the country slammed the doors ...

  5. Nepal : Tourist arrivals down in 2021

    Tourist arrivals from India in the year 2021 was 64673, almost 43 per cent of total tourist arrivals in the country, whereas the number of Chinese tourists visiting Nepal was 6196 in 2021. A total of 209,611 Indian tourists visited Nepal while 169,543 Chinese tourists visited Nepal in 2019.

  6. International tourism, number of arrivals

    2,658,000 Algeria 2020 591,000

  7. Tourist arrivals down to lowest level since 1977

    The 150,962 arrivals in 2021 represents the lowest figure since 1977 when the country hosted 129,329 tourists, a year after tourist numbers in Nepal reached the six-digit mark for the first time. It was in 1977 when Nepal established a separate Ministry of Tourism with a view to enhance tourism properly in the country.

  8. Nepal Tourist Arrivals 2021: 8,874 Foreigners Visit the Nation in January!

    According to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the number of foreign visitors to the nation stood at 230,085 in 2020, the lowest in 34 years. The arrivals dropped by more than 80% in 2020. However, the resumption of international flights and the COVID-19 vaccination drive have brought new hope to 2021.

  9. Nepal Tourist Arrivals

    50Y MAX Compare Export API Embed Nepal Tourist Arrivals Tourist Arrivals in Nepal increased to 614148 Persons in 2022 from 150962 Persons in 2021. This page includes a chart with historical data for Nepal Tourist Arrivals.

  10. Nepal Visitor Arrivals Growth

    Nepal Visitor Arrivals Growth rate data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1992 to Dec 2023. The data reached an all-time high of 162,271.4 % in Apr 2021 and a record low of -100.0 % in Apr 2020. CEIC calculates Tourist Arrivals Growth from monthly Tourist Arrivals. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation provides Tourist Arrivals.

  11. Tourist Arrival Slightly Improved In Nepal

    March 4, 2021, 7:59 a.m. A slight improvement has been seen in foreign tourist arrivals in February 2021 reports RSS. Looking at the latest foreign tourist arrival rate, the number of incoming foreign tourists is seen gradually increasing even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. According to RSS, a total 18 thousand 20 foreign tourists arrived Nepal ...

  12. Development and importance of tourism for Nepal

    Nepal recorded a total of 151,000.00 tourists in 2021, ranking 107th in the world in absolute terms. Without including the size of a country, such a ranking list may not be very meaningful.

  13. Nepal welcomes 150,962 tourists in 2021

    NTB says no agreement yet on fee to be paid to IIFA KATHMANDU, Jan 3: A total of 150,962 tourists have visited Nepal in 2021. The number is 34.4 percent less as compared to the tourist arrival data of 2020. Nepal welcomed 230,085 tourists in the year 2020.

  14. Tourists Arrival in Nepal: Why the Numbers Are Soaring in 2023

    The top 10 nations from where tourists arrived in Nepal in September 2023 are: India: 28,694 China: 8,174 USA: 7,364 Bangladesh: 3,716 Australia: 3,685 United Kingdom: 3,640 Sri Lanka: 3,011 Germany: 2,852 South Korea: 2,018 Israel: 1,734 With its proximity and cultural ties, India continued to lead the chart, followed by China and the USA.

  15. A Macro Analysis of Tourist Arrival in Nepal

    Low levels of arrivals and low daily expenditure per visitor are the main issues with Nepalese tourism (Badal, 2019;Kc et al., 2021;Shivakoti, 2021).

  16. Tourism in Nepal

    [2] World Peace Pagoda in Lumbini According to statistics of 2019, there was a growth rate of 2.1%. According to statistics from Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a total of 1,197,191 foreign tourists entered the country in 2019 as compared to 1,173,072 in 2018.

  17. Foreign arrivals in Nepal down nearly 35 pct in 2021

    KATHMANDU, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Foreign arrivals in Nepal slumped by nearly 35 percent in 2021 as the South Asian country struggled to recover from a devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, showed latest data from the Nepal Tourism Board. Nepal welcomed 150,962 foreign tourists in 2021, a drop of 34.4 percent from 230,085 in 2020.

  18. Updated Notice regarding Arrival in Nepal

    19 Jun All passengers travelling to Nepal by air or land route no longer require a fully vaccinated proof of certificate OR Negative PCR test report of COVID-19 2 months ago 09 Jun

  19. Keeping track of tourists

    Updated at : January 11, 2023 07:35. The Nepali tourism industry hit hard by the pandemic is gradually recovering, with a 68 percent increase in international tourists in 2021 compared to 2019. According to the Department of Immigration, 614,148 foreign tourists arrived in Nepal by air in the past year. The year 2019 recorded the highest number ...

  20. Tourist arrivals in Nepal cross one million mark; Indians highest

    In 2021, 150,962 foreign guests entered Nepal. The number of foreign visitors entering Nepal in 2020 was 230,085, the paper said. "The tourism sector that was weakened by the Covid-19 pandemic has ...

  21. PDF Modelling Monthly International Tourist Arrivals and Its Risk in Nepal

    The number of international tourist arrivals illustrated an evolution from a mere. 25 million international arrivals in 1950 to an estimated 806 million in 2005, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 6.5% (UNWTO, 2009a). Moreover, * Ph.D. Scholar , Senior Agriculture Economist, Department Agriculture, Harihar Bhawan Nepal.

  22. Total number of tourist arrival in Nepal 2021

    June: 1143 July: 2991 August: 5917 September: 9898 October: 23284 November: 26135 December (update): 24643 Now that the tourist arrival for December is updated, the total of 1,50,962 tourists arrived in the year 2021 by air and land. Source: Immigration Department Nepal/ Compiled by Nepal Tourism Board (M.R. Lamichhane)

  23. Nepal welcomes one million tourists, a post-Covid record

    Nepal received 230,085 and 150,962 tourists in 2020 and 2021, respectively. In 2022, the foreign tourist numbers shot up to 614,869. Travel restrictions and an economic slowdown triggered by the Covid pandemic delivered a massive blow to Nepal's burgeoning tourism industry, decimating revenues and profits after 2020.