Structure and Trend of Tourist Arrival in Nepal (1987-2011)

Abstract

This study entitled ‘‘Trend of Tourist Arrival in Nepal (1987-2011)’’has been carried out for partial fulfillment of the Degree of Master of Arts in Economics.The study analyzes the trend of Tourist Arrival in Nepal. For this purpose secondary data have been collected through Nepal Tourism Statistics,Economic Survey and related publications. These data have been presented in tables, figures, percentage and ratio. The Trend analysis has been computed to clarify the facts under study. The statistical tests such as auto correlation,Darbin-Waston statistic, chi-square test have been found useful to justify the objectives under study. During the study period, the lowest number of tourist arrival during 1996 to 2002 was due to extreme political instability in Nepal, the hijacking of Indian airlines in Kathmandu and attacj if Twinowter of USA.However, the trend of tourist arrival in Nepal shows that the growth rate was 12874, which had significant positive auto correlation among error terms in the present study.October wasthe favourable month for them to visit Nepal. Most of the touristswhovisited Nepal were of31-45 years age group. The Chi-square test shows that the age and the sex are dependent attributes. Most of the tourists arrived for holiday and pleasure purpose. More than 72 nationals came to visit Nepal and their mean average length of stay was 13.12 days during 1987-2011. The ratio of foreign exchange earnings from tourism to GDP was fluctuated from 1.4% to 4.1% during study period. Altogether 827 hotels with 30780 beds,1936 travel, 1378 trekking, 33 rafting agencies and 2855 tour guides, 7303 trekking guides, 44 river guide and 53 tourist police licensed manpower were involved for the service of tourists in Nepal in 2011. The government should emphasize on the implement of effective plans and policies to attract the foreigners and develop tourism industry.