Chinese tourist arrivals have been increasing significantly over the last one decade, indicating that China is becoming one of the top markets for Nepal's tourism, the Kathmandu Post reported on Wednesday.

Compared to the arrivals from January to September in 2008, Chinese inbound during the same period this year surged by 14.6 percent to 11,583 persons.

In 1999, Nepal hosted only 3,977 Chinese tourists.

Tourism experts said that increased flights between Nepal and China mainly supported the growth in tourist arrivals.

Earlier, Air China and China Southern used to operate flights to Nepal. Now, China Eastern Airlines has also started to operate direct flights between Kunming and Kathmandu. According to these airlines, their occupancy rate is over 80 percent.

Tourism experts said that the exchange facility provided to the Chinese yuan had also made it convenient for Chinese tourists visiting Nepal.