Tourist arrivals soared 47 percent in September compared to the same month last year, reports the Ministry of Culture, Civil Aviation and Tourism. It said 27,511 tourists visited Nepal in the month, versus 18,785 in September 2004. Leading the increase were Indian tourists, whose arrivals skyrocketed 151.1 percent to 8,590 last month. Tourism entrepreneurs said many tourists were encouraged to visit after the Maoists announced their ceasefire on 3 September