The Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal has achieved 13 percent tourist arrival growth in the first six months of 2018 compared to the same period last year, 2017. The Department of Immigration recorded 520 K tourists arriving in the first six months of 2018, compared to 460 K in 2017. The growth has been consistently growing since 2016, when the massive earthquake hit on 25 April 2015.
An increase in the number of tourists arriving from India 96 K, China 71 K and the USA 44 K is a remarkable growth. Nepal has two great tourist seasons: Spring (March to May) and Autumn (Sept to December). Spring is usually great for expeditions like Everest and others, which are above 8000 m peaks. In contrast, Autumn is better for trekking adventure and mountain climbing at 6000 to 7000 meters peaks, and usually more tourists visit Nepal in Autumn. Thus, there is an anticipation that tourist arrival will likely increase by around 20 % in 2018.
Nepal has set its big goal to welcome 2 million tourists by 2020. Undoubtedly, the Government and Tour operators need to work 24 hrs to achieve this nation’s target. Nepal Airlines has already bought two wide-body planes and will get two more narrow-body planes by 2019 to help the Government reach its goal. Similarly, many private airlines have added their fleets and new hotels are ready to meet the demand by 2020. Kathmandu International Airport is open for 21 hours with a plan to get operation around all hours shortly. The Tourism Ministry of Nepal is also working hard to investigate the fake Helicopter Rescue, which might have been taking place for a few years in Nepal, and the Government is committed to bringing up the truth and punishing the culprits accordingly. It is widely believed that government action will help restore the country’s image and double the number of tourists arriving in Nepal in the coming three years. Most trekkers have chosen their adventure destination to step on the Everest base camp and Annapurna base camp. Similarly, a record number of amateur climbers must reach above 6000-meter trekking peaks, including the Island and Mera peaks.
