Increase in Indian travellers journeying to Nepal observed last year

Travel experts tend to watch the trends of tourism closely, as they can provide answers to how and why certain travellers are visiting different locales abroad. Recently, officials from Nepal released their tourism statistics for 2011, which shows there was an increase in Indian travellers of 28 per cent compared to 2010. Since travel and tourism is a big part of Nepal's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the locale has recently been utilising new strategies that makes its attractions and more seem desirable to Indians and those seeking to enjoy a holiday in an exotic destination.
“India is the most significant market for the Nepalese tourism industry, accounting for about one-third of the total overseas visitors," said Udai Bhattarai, a member of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), at a press conference in Indore.
The NTB has invested funding and time into promoting Nepal through on-the-road demonstrations and other means of advertising, in the hopes that the number of visitors will continue to increase in the near future.
Indian travellers are not the only ones venturing to Nepal to enjoy its wealth of diverse attractions and scenic beauty. According to Global Travel Industry News, the number of visitors to the country increased by 26 per cent in 2011, compared to 2010. In January of last year, Nepal welcomed more than 30,000 travellers, nearly 7,000 more than the previous January. Many of these tourists came from India, while the rest were primarily from China, South Korea and other Asian countries.
"The significant growth in Chinese and Indian tourists can be attributed to increased air accessibility," said Ram Kazi Koney, a tourism entrepreneur, as quoted by the news source. "International airlines serving Nepal have upgraded their aircraft and increased their flight frequencies."
Other continents have had representatives go to Nepal last year as well, especially from Europe and Australia. The country has been expanding flights to and from these areas, as well as offering increased awareness in the tourism sector at conferences through targeted marketing campaigns.
Travellers from India who wish to enjoy an adventure travel experience in a new place could consider Nepal. Due to it bordering India and being in such close proximity, tourists may reach this destination easily and have an affordable holiday in a new travel hotspot.