Visitor Arrivals by air continues to grow  
The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) reveal that visitor arrivals in the month of August 2009, compared to the same month last year, have increased by 5% to 27,676.

In August this year, there has been a robust growth of 87% in tourist arrivals from China. Similarly, the arrivals from Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand have also increased by 27%, 44%, 21% and 9% respectively. The Asian markets to decline in this month were Malaysia (13%) and Chinese Taipei (21%). In aggregate the Asian segment has registered a positive growth of 26%.

In the SAARC region, arrivals from Bangladesh and Pakistan have witnessed positive growth of 23% and 22% respectively. However the arrivals from India have decreased by 10% compared to the same month last year. Sri Lanka also witnessed a negative growth of 1% this month.

An overall positive growth of 11% has been observed from the European markets with arrivals from France up by 9% , Germany by 34%, The Netherlands by 20%, Spain by 9% and Denmark by 50%. The only market to decline in this month was the UK by 24%.

Tourist arrivals from New Zealand and Canada have also registered robust growth of 22% and 88% respectively. The arrivals from United States of America remained stable whereas the Australian market declined by 4 % compared to the same month last year.

This is the third consecutive month Nepal has witnessed positive growth in the international tourist arrivals. Recovery in the arrivals to Nepal in the beginning of second half of 2009 is in line with the marginal improvement observed in some of the economies. Moreover, it also reflects the rebounding confidence of the international tour operators and the resilient nature of tourism economy.

A total of 33,685 foreign tourists departed from TIA in August 2009 up by 20% compared to the same month last year. The number of Nepalese arrivals stood at 46,852 while 51,653 Nepalese departed from TIA in August 2009.

Meeting of Nepal Tourism Year Main Organsing Committee held  
Second Meeting of the Main Organizing Committee of Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 national campaign was held on August 16, 2009 under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Tourism Minister and Chairman of Main Organizing Committee Mr. Sarat Singh Bhandari.


During the meeting, Member-Secretary and CEO of NTB-Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha presented the programs prepared by 14 sub-committees and 5 regional committees through series of meeting and discussion after the first meeting on January 18, 2009 and the publicity received till date.


The Secretaries of Government of Nepal giving suggestions committed to work in the areas concerned to their ministries for making NTY a success. Similarly private sector participants also gave suggestions towards areas to be improved in tourism sector.


After the discussion it was decided by the Main Organizing Committee that to make NTY a success as a campaign wider participation in the Main Organizing Committee should be sought, execution of programs should be done through high-level empowered working committee under the Main Organizing Committee, and more than 25 jobs that need to be carried on by the different ministries and the government offices should be executed with the support of the Tourism Council.


The meeting of the Main Organizing Committee was participated by 58 persons including Hon'ble Member of National Planning Commission-Dr. Pushkar Bajracharya, Secretaries of different ministries, representatives of the government agencies, Heads of tourism associations and officials of Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation.

NTB Notice for Int'l Travel Trade Fair Participation
All tourism companies registered with Government of Nepal are encouraged to apply and participate. Application form for participation is available with Nepal Tourism Board. (The forms can be received on e-mail or downloaded from our website)

Duly filled up forms should be submitted to Accounts Unit, Corporate Services Department, NTB, along with full participation fees and necessary documents before the deadline. Participation shall be allowed on first come - first served basis.

* Rs 1,650,000 is for individual table. Cost for staying in common area will be Rs.79,000 (max. four first time participating companies and other conditions apply)

Interaction program on NTY 2011 held
An interaction program was organized on July 22, 2009 at Nepal Tourism Board to discuss various issues relating tourism industry and Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011. Participated by the President of almost all tourism related associations, the program was organized in the presence of Hon'ble Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation Mr. Sarat Singh Bhandari.

President of the tourism associations appraised the Minister Bhandari the difficulties faced by the private sector and the role of private sector in making NTY 2011 a success. Minister Bhandari speaking in the program stressed in the private sector led mechanism for tourism development in the country. He further said the priority of the budget is focused on accessibility and marketing of the tourism products of the country. "Instead of focusing on trivial issues, we should seek the holistic approach to promote and develop tourism. Issues of developing and promoting main tourism products including attraction resources based in Terai area should be given due priority as the sector has immense potential to attract tourists from far and wide", he said on the occasion. Minister Bhandari said overnight change in tourism sector is not possible, so effective plans should be formulated to mitigate present challenge in tourism.

Talking about attracting tourist, Minister Bhandari said our tourism promoting endeavors should be focused on our neighboring markets-India and China. He explained the need to work together in favor of NTY 2011 campaign in the changed context. During the interaction program Mr. Ram Kaji Koney-President of Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA), Mr. Prasiddha Bahadur Pandey- President of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Mr. Jyoti Adhikari- President of Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN), Mr. Basanta Mishra- President of Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) and other tourism entrepreneurs expressed their views about NTY 2011 and stressed on the need to provide working atmosphere for the private sector to play a lead role in promoting tourism in the country and NTY 2011. Amidst the function CEO of NTB Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha deliberated meticulously about the ongoing and prospective elements of tourism promotion and its present status.