Kathmandu, March 12 -- The world's most populous country China became the biggest source of visitors to Nepal in February. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 16,205 Chinese travellers entered Nepal in February, up 5.3 percent year-on-year.

Travel trade entrepreneurs attributed the growth in visitor numbers from the northern neighbour to the occurrence of the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival on February 5. During the same period, arrivals from India jumped 92.5 percent to 14,571 individuals. Only Indian travellers flying into Nepal are included in the tourist arrivals data.

Total visitor arrivals in February reached 124,421 individuals, a 39 percent year-on-year increase. Among them, 97,694 foreign visitors came by air. Nepal recor...