The cumulative Digi Yatra passenger count at various airports since its launch reflects significant growth. Overall, the total cumulative Digi Yatra passenger count surged from 1,12,60,888 by December 31, 2023, to 1,44,95,291 by February 11, 2024, indicating a substantial increase in digital passenger facilitation across multiple airports including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and others.
[ad_2]
Source link ]]>
Nepal received one million foreign tourists in 2023, with Indians being the highest number of visitors to the Himalayan nation where the tourism sector was badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior official said on Wednesday. Maniraj Lamichhane, director of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), said that the target of bringing in one million foreign tourists in 2023 has been achieved, MyRepublica newspaper reported.
“There are still a few days left in December. However, the government’s target was achieved three days ago. This is the highest number of arrivals since 2019,” said Lamichhane. “It has added excitement to the tourism sector.”
All these are foreign visitors who entered by air.
For the first time since 2019, the tourism sector, which was badly affected by the coronavirus infection, has risen to this size.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the arrival of foreign guests was affected until the previous year. Previously, the highest number of foreign guests entered Nepal in 2019. In 2022, this figure was 614,148. In 2021, 150,962 foreign guests entered Nepal.
The number of foreign visitors entering Nepal in 2020 was 230,085, the paper said.
“The tourism sector that was weakened by the Covid-19 pandemic has recovered in a short time. If we could do better marketing, the arrival would have increased this year,” said Lamichhane.
While the Homestay and Caravan Tourism Policies have taken centre stage already, the state government is gearing up for the introduction of additional policies such as agro-eco tourism, wellness, and adventure, focusing on attracting investments while ensuring transparency and regulation in the tourism landscape. The Minister for Tourism, IT, E&C and Printing and Stationary, Rohan Khaunte shared all and more with ETTravelWorld. Read here.
He said that if international flights are resumed from the international airports operating in Pokhara and Bhairahawa, the number of arrivals will further increase. “It is not that the tourism sector has not been affected due to some conflicts at the international level, but the target set by the government for this year has been fulfilled,” he said.
According to him, among those who entered Nepal in 2023, the highest share was 30 per cent of Indian guests. He said that although the size of Indian guests entering Nepal is around 20 per cent, Indian arrivals have increased significantly this year.
According to him, the number of Indian guests who entered Nepal in 2019 was 254,000, but now it has exceeded 300,000.
Similarly, in 2019, the number of American tourists was 93,000, but this year, around 100,000 arrived. “The arrival of guests from American, Chinese and other countries has also increased,” he said.
While unveiling his achievements in the first year of the government, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” on Tuesday said that the Nepal government has achieved success in receiving tourists.
[ad_2]
Source link
Giving a major surge for Kashmir’s tourism, the Gulmarg Gondola has become a standout highlight, attracting over nine lakh tourists this year alone. Anticipation mounts as officials predict the numbers to surpass a million by the year’s end.
Operated by the J&K Cable Car Corporation, the Gulmarg Gondola is a sought after tourism experience in Kashmir’s tourism landscape. Rising to an altitude of 14,000 feet, it holds the title of Asia’s highest operating cable car. The officials described the tourists’ unanimous description of the experience as “surreal and captivating” which further fuels the popularity of this attraction.
This year, the Corporation worked on enhancing visitor experience. They revamped the ticketing system, conducted rigorous safety tests, and implemented cutting-edge technology to overhaul the second phase of the Gondola.
Raja Yaqoob, the Managing Director of J&K Cable Car Corporation, emphasised the corporation’s pivotal role in Kashmir’s tourism. He expressed the commitment to offering tourists an effortless, secure, and enjoyable ride.
Yaqoob assured visitors of upcoming winter season improvements while urging them to book tickets exclusively online and adhere strictly to designated timings to prevent any inconvenience.
During the inaugural Tourism Investors Meet, the state has been buoyed by investment proposals totaling INR 15,116.65 crore. The Chief Minister said that a Single Window Clearance System has been created to assist tourism investors and a Facilitation Centre set up to follow up on the preliminary deliberations at the meet. The state is providing investment subsidies and incentives and encouraging PPPs in the tourism sector.
The Gulmarg Cable Car‘s structure comprises two phases, ferrying visitors from the Gulmarg resort to Kongdori valley and then onwards to Apharwath Peak. With a total of 108 cabins and 18 towers, the first stage elevates passengers from Gulmarg resort to Kongdoori Station at 2,650 meters, nestled in the picturesque Kongdori valley. The subsequent stage elevates them to a height of 3,980 meters on Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of the nearby Afarwat Peak standing tall at 4,200 meters.Beyond the Gulmarg Gondola’s soaring popularity, Kashmir as a whole has witnessed an unprecedented influx of tourists. February 2023 marked a staggering arrival of 120,000 visitors. The previous year itself set a historic milestone with a record-breaking 1.88 crore visitors exploring J&K, a number significantly higher than the average of the past four decades.
A former official from the tourism department revealed that nearly 90 per cent of the 1.2 lakh visitors in February flocked the Gulmarg ski resort, showcasing the area’s appeal alongside other key attractions.
[ad_2]
Source link