Tourism industry witnessed a significant growth in the number of tourist arrivals during this October with a surge of 41 per cent as compared to October last year. This increment in total tourist incoming is the highest monthly increment of this year. According to latest statistics released by Department of Immigration, a total of 38,200 tourists came to Nepal by air during October, with a rise from 27,172 tourist arrivals of the similar month last year. The Kathmandu Post on October 16 published a news item stating that the number of tourist would grow by 40 per cent during October and November.

The forecast was based on the ticket bookings of major international airlines for those two months. The average per flight bookings of the international airlines for October and November stood at 85 per cent and it was assumed that almost 60 per cent of the total visitors are the foreigners. Based on this observation Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has cited the recent recovery in the global tourism industry as a major reason for a significant increase in tourist arrival to Nepal. "The increment is also due to the focused marketing activities conducted by the NTB," the Board has stated. Of the total increment, the number of visitors from India surged by 56 percent and from countries other than India went up by 37 percent. Both the figures are the highest for this year.

During October, Nepali tourism industry welcomed a total of 30,599 tourists from countries other than India and 7,501 tourists from India. The share of Indian tourists is 20 per cent of the total tourist arrivals. The Indian market has been responding well ever since the beginning of year 2003. The Pashupatinath Darshan package launched in India under the Destination Nepal Campaign also contributed to this growth, the NTB release issued here today said. According to the statistics, the French tourists, with a share of 9 percent in total arrival, jumped to second position. French tourists used to make some 6 per cent during the earlier months to remain behind the Britons, Japanese and Americans.

In terms of country-wise tourists arrivals, tourists from United States surged by 41 percent, from United Kingdom 20 percent and the Japanese tourists 17 percent. The tourist arrivals from Germany, France and China also recorded significant growth of 23, 38 and 92 per cent respectively. Tourist arrivals from Belgium, Holland and Sri Lanka declined during October. According to the arrivals for the first 10 months of the current year, the total tourist arrival rose by 19 per cent. Of this increment, the growth of Indian tourists is 34 per cent and that of the non-Indian tourists is 12 per cent.

OTHER NEWS

• Everest Sky Run on Nov 18: Montagnard Magazine, Travel for Others and Cho Oyu Trekking will jointly organize Friendship Everest Sky Race on November 18, the organizers confirmed recently at a press conference. The mountain race recognized by Federation Sport in Altitude (FSA) is an attempt to help Thame School of Everest Region. If a Nepali runner win the 16 km race, the runner would get Rs 10,950 while the winner in women's category would walk away with cash prize of Rs 7300. The race will start from Namchebazar (3400m) and goes via Khumjung, Khunde, Phurte, Thamo before concluding at Thame. According to the organizers, 50 runners have already registered their name for the race and the number of the participants is expected to increase as the registration date is open till 10 AM of the race's date. Italian Championship Circuit 2003 winner Mario Polleti Corinne Favre of France would also compete in the tournament.
  
  
• Water experts flay Govt. for inking 'unprofitable' deal with India: Nepali water resource experts have cautioned that the government's decision to permit India to build a large hydroelectricity project taking only 15 per cent electricity in return could result in Nepal suffering a big loss in the long run. Their comments come in the wake of recent negotiation between water resources officials of the two countries over the development of the 600-megawatt Budhi Gandaki hydroelectric project.
  
  
• New strategy curbs rhino poaching incidents: Not a single incident of rhino poaching has been reported in the Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP) since the Park authorities adopted a new anti-poaching strategy four months ago. The park had been witnessing poaching of at least four rhinos a month in the past years prior to the enforcement of the new strategy, according to sources. The new strategy was implemented as poaching incidents reached alarming levels in the past two years; and it has yielded a positive result, observed a park official. As per the new strategy, water patrol is being carried out along with land patrols. A steamer provided by the WWF and with 10 security personnel aboard patrols the park on the Narayani and the Rapti rivers. Also new camps have been set up in sensitive areas and mobile patrols have been increased, informed Kamal Jung Kunwar, the Assistant Warden of the park.
  
  
• 'Tibet should uphold provision of Treaty': Officials at the Nepali customs office in Khasa have emphasised on the provision of free movement up to 30 kilometers across Nepal and Tibet through the Liping border point as per the Sino-Nepal Treaty. Customs, immigration and security officials talking to journalists said that they, as per the provision of the treaty, accept the recommendation papers issued by the Tibetan officials for visitors from China, but the Tibetan officials reject the recommendations of the Nepali side for visitors intending to visit their side.
  
  
• World's highest plant generates 15 kw power: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DoHM) has successfully generated 15 kilowatts of electricity from a micro hydroelectric project installed at Tsho Rolpa Glacier Lake today. Situated at the height of 4,580 meters, it is the highest micro-hydroelectric project of the world. "It is also the first test of its kind in the world to generate electricity from a Glacier Lake." said Dr Madan Lal Shrestha, director general of DoHM, after receiving information about the electricity generation on radio set.