In the pre-pandemic setting, Nepal received 92,604 travellers in September 2019, demonstrating the increase in recent tourism figures
From January 1 to September 30, the Himalayan nation Nepal received 692,372 international visitors by air routes, according to Nepal’s Immigration Department data. The country, where the main economic driver is tourism, experienced an influx of 91,012 tourists in September alone, a significant rise over the 58,314 international tourists recorded during the same period the previous year.
According to a press statement by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the latest record on tourist arrival is 90.28 pc of the tourist arrival before Covid-19.
In the pre-pandemic setting, Nepal received 92,604 travellers in September 2019, demonstrating the increase in recent tourism figures. The NTB expects the number of foreign tourists to climb further in the coming months. While Nepal received 9,907 tourists in September 2021, the number increased to 58,314 in September 2022, according to NTB.
As per the record, most of the tourists arriving in September are from India, with 28,642 arrivals, which is followed by China with 8,174.
It adds that the United States is third largest with 7,364 tourists, while Bangladesh stands fourth with 3,716. Other tourists are from Australia, the UK, Sri Lanka, Germany, South Korea and Israel.
The statement adds that the Nepalese government has set an ambitious aim of 1 million foreign tourists in 2023, and a recent rise in tourist arrivals suggests that goal may be within reach.
Maniraj Lamichhane, Director of the Board, says that tourist arrivals have been steadily increasing in recent months. According to the most recent numbers, visitor arrivals have surpassed 90.28 pc of pre-Covid levels.
“We have achieved 98 pc recovery in tourist arrival in September this year,” says Lamichhane.
NTB says that tourism is one of the economic pillars of Nepal and a substantial amount of revenue comes from the industry. The GDP of Nepal was boosted by the tourist sector by roughly 6.7 pc this year.
Nepal is a popular destination for mountaineers, rock climbers, and adventure seekers since it is home to eight of the ten tallest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest. Additional draws include Nepal’s cultural heritage sites and its year-round pleasant climate.
