Nepal's tourist arrival all time high in 2007

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KATHMANDU, Jan 3 (PTI): The end of Maoists-related violence in Nepal is once again wooing foreign tourists to the Himalayan nation with the number of the visitors in 2007 witnessing an all time high of about half a million. Altogether 4,96,401 tourists visited Nepal in 2007.
The data, however, does not include the land route arrival figure for the last two months-November and December, according to Nepal Tourism Board.
Nepal's tourist arrival has recorded 27.1 per cent growth over 2006 with the arrival figure reaching all time high, says Nepal Tourism Board.
In 1999, a year after Nepal observed Visit Nepal Year 491,504 tourists visited the Himalayan nation, which was considered highest figure till last year.
Tourism is the main foreign exchange earning business of Nepal.
One of the main reasons for inspiring growth in 2007 in tourist arrivals is the ongoing peace process.