Coimbatore, July 18: The tourism industry in Nepal, hit by insurgency and tragic incident in the royal family, is on the revival path with 30 per cent increase in inflow from India during the first six month this year, according to an official of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). The tourism revenue, four per cent of GDP, declined in the range of 163-165 million US dollars last year from the average 170 million dollars, but Nepal set an achievable target of 50 per cent increase this year, Aditya Baral, manager public relation and publicity of NTB, told reporters. Claiming that the inflow had declined last year due to sars, Iraq war threat and some 'negative media hype', he said the situation was now favourable, particularly for Indian tourists. Tourist inflow from India to this mystical kingdom had witnessed 30 per cent increase during the first six months of this year with return of normalcy, Baral said.
With introduction of new packages like 'Pashupathinath darshan,' the board was giving special thrust to Indian tourists particularly from southern parts 'to bring and unite all Hindus at one destination,' he said.

On tourist inflow, he said last year it stood at 2.63 lakh, with indians accounting for 65,000 and this year it was expected to go up by another one lakh.

Despite decrease in pilgrimage tourism, during the period of turmoil, there was no decline in adventure tourism, like trekking and expedition, which attracted more people from the Us, Japan, Germany And France, Baral said.

Bureau Report.