April 14: The country witnessed the arrival of around 100,000 foreign tourists throughout the month of March, the largest number since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country towards the end of 2019. The encouraging inflow of foreign tourists has revived the hopes of bringing back the tourism industry marred by the deadly infection, say stakeholders.

According to data with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), 99,426 foreign tourists visited Nepal in March, 2023.    
The influx of foreign tourists has increased since the beginning of the year 2023, NTB said. The total 55,074 tourists visited Nepal in January, 2023, and 73,255 in February. A total of 1,197,091 foreign visitors arrived in 2019, just before the virus outbreak.    
In the following years, the number sharply dropped by 81 percent in 2020 to 230,085, and to 150,962 in 2021.

The Nepali year, 2079, has overall been the year of the revival of tourism, and increasing inflow of tourists has encouraged tourism entrepreneurs, said NTB Director Maniraj Lamichhane.    
 "Overall, 2079 BS has been satisfactory in terms of tourism. The influx of tourists has been on the upward spiral in each months. The arrival of tourists increased since mid-July, 2022. Each preceding months saw over 70 percent increment in the arrival of tourists," he said.    
The mobility of domestic tourists has also increased, according to Lamichhane. In 2078 BS and 2079, the mobility of tourists increased around 120 and 130 percent respectively, he said.    
In the year 2079 BS, the tourism infrastructures were added. Investment in hotel and restaurants soared and the entry of international chain hotels began.    
Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN)’s first vice-president Binayak Shah said the year 2079 BS was in overall encouraging for the tourism industry. He said that the hospitality industry assessed the period as the "Year of Tourism Improvement". Lately, the arrival of tourists and the trend of hotel booking have been positive. He was of the opinion of promoting air connectivity and the strengthening rural roads.    
The year brought hope for the mountaineering sector as well. Director General of the Department of Tourism, Hom Prasad Luitel said 512 people have taken permissions for the climbing of 21 peaks in the spring season, 2079 BS and the revenue collection stood at Rs 310.03 million. Of them, the highest number of climbers are for Mt Everest, 60 for Lhotse and 56 are for the Annapurna expedition.    
Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents ( NATTA) President Ramesh Thapa evaluates that the year 2079 BS remained as an 'improvement year for tourism industry', sending encouragements to the tourism sector.    
Foreign tourist arrivals are increasing gradually. International flights suspended with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic have been resumed. The number of Chinese tourists in Nepal has soared with China easing travel restrictions for the citizens and these all have raised hope for the business, according to Luitel.    
In view of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) President Nilhari Bastola, the 2079 BS was in overall encouraging for the tourism business. "The latest improvement in the tourism indices suggests the business is booming."  -- RSS