KATHMANDU, JAN 10 -
At least 694,136 Indian tourists visited Nepal in 2012 via air and surface routes, according to Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). The figure is based on the arrivals figure of the Tribhuvan International Airport and an overland tourist arrivals survey conducted by the NTB.
NTB estimates show Nepal received 1.33 million tourists in 2012, including Indian arrivals through surface transport.
The survey “Indian Visitors to Nepal by Land 2012” shows 528,321 Indian tourists entered Nepal through eight border points.
The number of overland Indian visitors was 520,522 in 2010 and 298,821 in 2009.
The survey, the third of its kind, shows among eight border points, Belihiya and Bhairahawa saw the highest inflow of visitors, accounting 48 percent of the total Indian arrivals, while arrivals from Vittamod and Kakarvitta accounted 14 percent and 13 percent, respectively. NTB said figures from the Rani entry point in Biratnagar were excluded because of incomplete data.
The survey reveals 152,710 vehicles entered Nepal through the surveyed border points. The highest numbers of buses (8,133) as well as the highest number of car, jeeps or van (15,882) entered from Belihiya. The highest number of motorcycles (27,275) entered from Vittamod and Janakpur entry points.
NTB said the survey considered only those Indian nationals who traveled by vehicles bearing Indian number plates. Indian visitors who traveled Nepal in other mode of transports such as rickshaw, tanga and even foot are not included in the study. “Only vehicles which obtained permission to enter Nepal are included in the survey,” the board said.
The figure is based on assumption that a bus carries 32 passengers on an average, car and jeep five and motorbike one passenger.
As government statistics do not take into account Indian tourists entering Nepal by land, the objective of the survey was to estimate the number of Indian tourists visiting Nepal by surface transport.
Meanwhile, NTB celebrated its 15th Anniversary on Thursday. Addressing the event, Acting
NTB CEO Subash Niraula said the board has decided to draft a five-year plan for the promotion, marketing and branding of Nepal’s tourism.
“A committee has been formed comprising representatives from the government and the private sector for the drafting process,” eh said.
“We have realised that NTB’s coordination with the private sector has been widening. Given the scenario, NTB is committed to work closely with all stakeholders concerned for the betterment of Nepal’s tourism,” Niraula said.
