According to figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA, Kathmandu) tourist arrivals via air in the month of January 2012 have increased by 27.7 percent recording total 42,031 visitors in January 2012 compared to the same month last year. Arrivals from South Asia posted a positive growth of 27.7 percent. Other Asian markets have also shown significant growth. Arrivals from China have increased significantly by 107 percent. Likewise arrivals from Japan, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea have also increased by 6.4 percent, 5.2 percent, 8.4 percent, and 7.9 percent respectively. Arrivals from European markets, Australia, Canada and USA also rregistered growths of of 22.8 percent. 8.6 percent, 27.8 percent, and 7.7 percent respectively.
This sustained growth in visitor arrivals bodes well for the country’s economy, especially the tourism sector. If this positive trend continues there will be more employment opportunities and development of tourism infrastructure in the country.