Year 2011 starts with healthy growth in international tourist arrivals

The anticipated performance of tourism industry in 2011 is firmly confirmed by the steady rise of arrivals in the very beginning of the month.   The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) reveal that visitor arrivals in the month of January 2011, compared to the same month last year, have increased by 26.2% to 32914.   All regions have shown positive growth in the first month of 2011. India which constitutes the major market of Nepal, has recorded positive growth of 35.5%. In the SAARC region, arrivals from Bangladesh and Pakistan have registered positive growth by 10.3% and 13.3% respectively. However, the arrivals from Srilanka declined by 47.5%. In aggregate the South Asian segment has registered a positive growth of 28.8%.   Arrivals from Asia (other than South Asia) have also recorded positive growth of 36.6% in aggregate with all markets showing improved performance. The visitor's arrivals from China have increased significantly by 79.6%. Similarly, the arrivals from Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea have also increased by 8.2%, 51.9%, 29.1%, 3.2%and 20.3% respectively.   An overall positive growth of 14.6% has been observed from the European markets with arrivals from major generating markets such as the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Russia up by 7.5%, 35.3%, 48.9% and 40.3% respectively. However, the arrivals from France, Italy and Switzerland have declined by 17.4%, 5.0% and 5.5% respectively compared to the same month last year.   Tourist arrivals from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA have also registered robust growth of 23.8%, 59.7%, 9.8% and 27.6% respectively. Nepal has enjoyed a sustained positive growth in the international visitor arrivals since June 2009 and the trend continues even in year 2011. These figures reflect rising confidence among visitors and tour operators to Nepal.  The sustained positive growth will hopefully be effective in achieving the target of Nepal Tourism Year 2011.   A total of 40,507 foreign tourists departed from TIA in January 2011. The number of Nepalese arrivals stood at 64,755 while 72,100 Nepalese departed from TIA in January 2011.

Spa Business Booming

Going to a spa was once a luxury reserved for foreigners or those with deep pockets. The body twisting at the local hajam was quite enough for men and women preferred to splurge on beauty parlour services rather than bother with expensive body treatments. But as the spa and wellness industry in Nepal has grown, it's no longer necessary to visit a five-star hotel; many independent spas have opened their doors around the city, and at affordable rates. Spa owners admit that their clientele is now an equal mix of Nepalis and foreigners. "The demand for spas grew as people started travelling and experienced spa treatments abroad," says Sadhana Tuladhar of Prana Spa. "Changes in lifestyle have also encouraged people to opt for spa services."   From ayurvedic to Thai and Swedish, spas here offer a whole range of treatments, including traditional Nepali treatments. They're not just about massages either, and offer hydrotherapy, reflexology, facials, and body treatments. Spas have also expanded their services to cater to the beauty needs of their clients by providing manicures, pedicures, and even hairdressing services. "With local clients, our saloon is more popular," says Megha Chaudhary Shakya of Midas Day Spa and Saloon. According to the Spa and Wellness Association Nepal (SWAN), there are about 20 spas in operation right now. Most independent spas are day spas and also offer medical consultations.

Nizgadh airport

The much-awaited second international airport at Nijgadh of Bara could come into operation in 2015. Korea’s Landmark Worldwide Company (LMW), which has conducted a detailed feasibility study for the airport, informed that the single-runway airport could be completed in 2015 if construction is started now. The company is going to submit its feasibility report to the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) by the end of January this year. Once the feasibility study is completed, the airport will be developed under a “build, own, operate and transfer” (BOOT) model. LMW study shows that the proposed airport could handle five to 15 million passengers annually and even accommodate the super-jumbo Airbus 380 after the first phase of construction. The estimated investment for the first phase would be US$ 600 million. The airport would be expanded to accommodate 30 million passengers annually in the second phase. The second phase will be commissioned in 2022, according to Binay B. Rawal, Nepal representative of LMW. By the end of the third phase of construction, the airport will have a parallel runway enabling it to handle 60 million passengers annually. The airport will have a three-storied terminal building with the latest systems and highly intelligent security equipment, he said. The study has recommended that a Kathmandu-Tarai fast track should be completed at least six months before the start of the airport’s commercial operation. The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation will call a global tender for the airport’s construction after receiving LMW’s report.