Nepal had its best ever year for tourism in 2011, with most of the growth
coming from neighbouring India and China, according to official figures released
on Wednesday.
Once a must-see destination on the famed "hippy trail", Nepal was dealt a severe blow during the decade-long civil war that ended in 2006, with tourist numbers dropping dramatically.
But the new data show a marked recovery, with tourism accounting for seven percent of gross domestic product -- more than $1 billion -- last year.
The Nepal Tourism Board said there were 719,547 visitors in 2011, including those travelling over land. Some 545,000 came through the country's only international airport in Kathmandu, 21 percent up on the previous year.
Last month the United States, one of the major sources of trekkers, cancelled a warning against travel to Nepal as it pointed to improving conditions.
Once a must-see destination on the famed "hippy trail", Nepal was dealt a severe blow during the decade-long civil war that ended in 2006, with tourist numbers dropping dramatically.
But the new data show a marked recovery, with tourism accounting for seven percent of gross domestic product -- more than $1 billion -- last year.
The Nepal Tourism Board said there were 719,547 visitors in 2011, including those travelling over land. Some 545,000 came through the country's only international airport in Kathmandu, 21 percent up on the previous year.
Last month the United States, one of the major sources of trekkers, cancelled a warning against travel to Nepal as it pointed to improving conditions.
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