Tourist Numbers Drop Sharply in June 2024
Nepal experienced a substantial decrease in tourist arrivals with the onset of the monsoon season. The month of June 2024 saw only 76,736 tourists, the lowest number recorded this year. This is a notable decline from the peak in March when 128,167 tourists visited the country.
Factors Contributing to the Decline
Maniraj Lamichhane, Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, cited several reasons for the drop in tourist numbers. The decline in Indian tourist arrivals and the failure to attract a significant number of Chinese tourists were key factors. In June 2023, 38,845 tourists came from India, but this number slightly decreased to 37,835 in June 2024. Similarly, only 7,494 Chinese tourists visited Nepal in June 2024, far below expectations.
Government’s Ambitious Target at Risk
The government aims to attract 1.6 million tourists in the fiscal year 2081/82. However, with only 583,016 tourists visiting Nepal in the first six months, achieving this target appears challenging. To meet the goal, there needs to be a 58% increase in tourist arrivals compared to 2023 and a 34% increase compared to 2019. Director Lamichhane expressed doubts about reaching this target, citing the need for more aggressive marketing, especially in key markets like India and China.
Challenges with Flight Costs and Airport Utilization
Flights from Kathmandu to New Delhi are currently operating at full capacity, primarily because many Nepalese use New Delhi as a transit point to third countries. This high demand has resulted in increased fares on this route. Lamichhane suggested that redirecting Indian tourists to Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports could alleviate congestion and promote tourist arrivals. He emphasized the need for collaboration with India to operationalize these airports effectively.
Lack of Promotion in China
On the Chinese front, Nepal has not effectively promoted itself, leading to less enthusiasm among Chinese tourists. While there is potential for direct flights from Chinese cities to Pokhara, only a few charter flights have been initiated, with limited success. Despite millions of Chinese tourists traveling abroad, Nepal has not managed to attract even a small fraction of them.
Mixed Trends from Other Countries
Tourist arrivals from the United States also declined in June, with 8,281 tourists compared to 8,470 in the previous year. The UK saw a slight drop, with 1,969 tourists in June 2024 compared to 1,992 in June 2023. Conversely, Bangladesh showed a significant increase, with 3,857 tourists arriving in June 2024 compared to 2,402 in June 2023.
The overall decrease in tourist arrivals poses a significant challenge to Nepal’s tourism industry. Immediate and strategic efforts are necessary to boost numbers and meet the government’s ambitious targets. Enhanced marketing, better utilization of secondary airports, and improved international promotion are critical steps to revitalize tourism in Nepal.
