SANGAM

East Asian arrivals take to Nepal sky

SANGAM PRASAIN

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KATHMANDU, JUN 15 - Nepal is becoming a major spiritual tourism destination for East Asian travelers attracted by Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, and other religious spots.

Although not much attention has been paid to marketing and promoting Buddhist sites, the number of religious visitors has been growing each year.

The World Bank South Asia Economic Update 2010 reveals that travelers from East Asia made up 26.5 percent of the total tourist arrivals in Nepal.

The statistics of the Nepal Tourism Board also reflect a similar trend. Tourist arrivals from China, South Korea and Thailand have been increasing in the past few years. The numbers have surged since 2006 after the signing of the comprehensive peace accord.

The number of Chinese arrivals in Nepal has increased by 185.97 percent in the last three years. Around 19,000 Chinese tourists visited Nepal in 2009. In the three years from 2006 to 2009, tourist arrivals from South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia have soared by 68.40 percent, 164.26 percent, 83.48 percent and 46.32 percent respectively.

Travel trade analysts attribute the increment in East Asian arrivals to their rising income levels, desire to visit the birthplace of the Buddha and better air connectivity. Currently, three Chinese airlines operate flights to Nepal with China Eastern Airlines being the latest entrant.

"The Budhha's birthplace and Buddhist stupas and monasteries are major attractions that have helped in the growth of East Asian arrivals in Nepal," said Ram Kaji Koney, past president of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA).

He added that arrivals could be doubled if adequate attention was paid to promoting Lumbini and other Buddhist sites in East Asia.

The growth in inbound from East Asia has prompted the concerned stakeholders to pay special attention to the region.

Nepal is expecting 100,000 tourists from China during Nepal Tourism Year 2011 while it has targeted a 20 percent increment in tourist arrivals from other East Asian countries.

With immediate neighbours China and India also targeting East Asian tourists, Nepal will have to play its card smartly to woo East Asian visitors. Both China and India have also targeted East Asia as a prime tourism source.