India accounts for almost a quarter of international visitors arriving in Nepal (Photo: India Outbound)
Nepal received 96,880 foreign visitors in February, representing a drop of 0.6 pc compared to February 2024, according to the latest report by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).
In a press statement, NTB says that the Department of Immigration figures show that India remained Nepal’s leading source of tourists, with 19,187 Indian visitors in the month. However, this is a significant drop of 25 pc from February 2024. Similarly, China also saw a drop of close to 10 pc, with only 8,283 Chinese visitors. In contrast, the United States, was steady in its increase, sending 10,348 visitors.
The statement adds that other major contributors included Thailand, with 5,609 visitors, the United Kingdom with 5,057, Bangladesh at 4,847, while Sri Lanka sent 4,370 visitors, Australia 3,737, South Korea 2,779 and Japan accounted for 2,643 foreign tourists. The statement adds that even as some of the bigger markets fell, expansion from the United States, Australia, and Thailand provided a counterpoint of optimism.
Regionally, South Asia (SAARC) led the visitor count with 31 pc of the overall arrivals or 30,196 visitors, led chiefly by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The rest of Asia was close behind, with 29 pc or 28,098 arrivals coming from Thailand, China, and South Korea. Europe accounted for 16.5 pc or 15,971 arrivals, with the Americas contributing 13 pc or 12,560 arrivals, led primarily by the United States. It says that Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa had smaller shares of 4.1 pc, 0.9 pc and 0.3 pc respectively.
NTB says that despite the dip year on year, the Nepalese tourism industry is on a robust road to recovery. Compared to pre-pandemic figures, February 2025 tourists were still 5.4 pc short. Overall recovery is encouraging with Nepal continuing to receive international tourists in the face of global uncertainties, it adds.
According to NTB, the Covid-19 pandemic had a severe impact on Nepal‘s tourism sector, with arrivals dropping to 230,085 in 2020 and plunging further to 150,962 in 2021, the lowest figure since 1977. Yet, by 2024, the sector staged a strong comeback, with 1.14 million tourists, reflecting a 13 pc rise from 2023 and a 96 pc recovery compared to pre-pandemic figure.
Nepal’s achievement in drawing different segments of visitors means that its cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and adventure sites continue to be attractive to foreign travellers. With dedicated effort towards market diversification and infrastructure development, Nepal’s tourism industry is well poised for continued growth despite the ongoing challenges.
"
