POKHARA, Sept 2: The Government of Nepal has set an ambitious target of welcoming one million foreign tourists in the year 2023. However, as of the end of August, just over 600,000 foreign visitors have arrived in Nepal via air route.
A total of 601,360 visitors, including 67,153 foreign tourists who arrived in Nepal in August, entered the country in the first eight months of 2023. To meet the government's target, Nepal needs at least 400,000 foreign visitors to arrive in the next four months.
The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) remains optimistic about achieving this goal, citing the beginning of the main tourist season as a driving factor. They anticipate that with the favorable trekking season ahead, approximately 400,000 foreign tourists could visit Nepal in the next four months.
Over 84,000 foreign tourists arrive in Nepal in ten months
Maniraj Lamichhane, the director of the Nepal Tourism Board, acknowledged the challenge but emphasized that the main tourist season typically starts from September, and peaks in October and November. While the arrival may begin to decrease towards December, Lamichhane expressed hope that the recent expansion of flight services to Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa would boost the arrivals.
The highest number of tourists entered Nepal in 2019, with 1,197,191 foreign guests visiting the country before the onset of Covid-19 pandemic. However, due to the pandemic in the following year, the arrival of tourists plummeted in 2020 to 230,085 and 150,962 in 2021. The NTB attributes the rising numbers since the beginning of this year to promotional events and the expanding international air connectivity.
Lamichhane emphasized that achieving the government's target of one million tourists in 2023 depends on the entry of 400,000 foreign tourists in the next four months, which he believes is achievable. He noted that the period from September to November is considered the main tourist season and highlighted the increasing air connectivity.
Additionally, Lamichhane anticipates that flights to Gautam Buddha International Airport will contribute to increased tourism in Lumbini. However, some tourism entrepreneurs express reservations about meeting the government's ambitious target.
Despite the approaching tourist season, there are concerns about the poor arrival of foreign tourists in Pokhara, a popular tourist destination. Entrepreneurs suggest that the sluggish arrivals in Pokhara could negatively impact Nepal's overall tourism activities. High airfares to Nepal compared to other European destinations have deterred some tourists, and the expectation of Chinese tourists visiting Nepal is not as anticipated.
Pom Narayan Shrestha, president of the Pokhara Tourism Council, noted that the situation in Pokhara could have wider implications for tourism in Nepal. He cited expensive airfares and the reliance on foreign airlines due to the limitations of Nepal Airlines Corporation as factors contributing to the challenges faced by the tourism sector.
Shrestha emphasized the need for strong national carriers to compete effectively and make air travel to Nepal more affordable. The success of Nepal's tourism industry, particularly in meeting the government's tourism target, hinges on various factors, including improved air connectivity, competitive airfares, and a favorable tourist season.
"Foreign companies have offered tailored pricing for their services. The situation would have been more favorable if Nepal Airlines had been robust and competitive, providing services to the desired destinations at affordable fares for tourists," he stated. "The challenges have been significant due to Nepal Airlines' limitations, particularly its restricted access to various destinations, necessitating reliance on foreign airliners for tourists’ travel."
