Perspective view of the Himalaya and Mount Everest as seen from space, Nepal poses 8 of the 10 highest mountains in the world
Overview
Nepal is the country where Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world, is located. Mountaineering and other types of adventure tourism and ecotourism are important attractions for visitors. The world heritage Lumbini, birthplace of Gautam Buddha, is located in southern Nepal, and there are other important religious pilgrimage sites throughout the country.
Namche Bazaar, Gateway to Mount Everest under snow
The government of Nepal declared 2011 to be Nepal Tourism Year, and hoped to attract one million foreign tourists to the country during that year.[1] The tourist industry is seen as a way to alleviate poverty and achieve greater social equity in the country. The government of Nepal has also declared Lumbini Tourism Year 2012 to promote Lumbini - the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
Lumbini, Nepal
Statistics
In 2007, the number of international tourists visiting Nepal was 526,705, which was an increase of 37.2% compared to the previous year. In 2008, the number of tourists decreased by 5% to 500,277.
Paragliders over Phewa Lake, Pokhara
In 2008, 55.9% of the foreign visitors came from Asia (18.2% from India), while Western Europeans accounted for 27.5%, 7.6% were from North America, 3.2% from Australia and the Pacific Region, 2.6% from Eastern Europe, 1.5% from Central and South America, 0.3% from Africa and 1.4% from other countries.
Foreign tourists visiting Nepal in 2008 stayed in the country for an average of 11.78 days.[2]
As of 2010, 602,855 tourists visited Nepal.[3]
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