Visitor arrivals via air continue to rise by 24.3 per cent to 280,575 between January and July — the seven months of the national campaign Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 — compared to the same period a year ago. However, around 700,000 tourists visited Nepal within the last seven months, according to the Nepal Tourism Board that claimed likelihood of meeting the target of hosting one million tourist this year under the national campaign as per a report in Himalayan Times.

According to the Immigration office at Tribhuvan International Airport, visitors arrivals in July increased by 20 per cent to 35,212 compared to last July due to robust South Asian and Chinese arrivals.

“Arrivals from South Asia posted a positive growth of 21.7 per cent with India (24.5 per cent), Pakistan (58 per cent), and Sri Lanka (70.8 per cent) registering positive growth,” the Board said, adding that the only South Asian market to decline is Bangladesh that has declined by 11.2 per cent.

According to the marketing and promotional strategy of NTY 2011 committee, the international promotion has already been started with programmes like Perfect Couple — a new reality show on Channel V from May 22. “Among variety of segments, shopping, casino, and pilgrimage are key attractions to the Indian tourists,” CEO of Nepal Tourism Board Prachanda Man Shrestha said, hoping for increase in number of Indian visitors arrivals.