Nepal, regarded a Shangri-La for holiday makers with its Himalayan ranges, assortment of religious shrines and network of casinos, has recorded the highest tourist arrivals in eight years. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, figures released by the Immigration Office at the Tribhuvan International Airport indicate that 50,567 tourists visited Nepal in October, the highest in a single month since 2000. The opening of two more casinos, a host of adventure sports like Everest skydiving and mountain biking as well as international music and film festivals have contributed to lure more foreign tourists. The total number of visitors till October 2008 reached 307,748 and if the October growth is any indication, by the yearend, it could catch up with the idyllic situation in 1999 –when the country had hosted 421,000 visitors. |