KATHMANDU: Nepal’s tourism industry has shown robust recovery in 2024, with over 940,000 foreign visitors arriving in the first ten months, according to the latest figures from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).
October alone recorded 124,393 arrivals, marking a 6.4 percent increase compared to the same month in 2023, when 117,306 tourists visited.
This growth signals the resilience of Nepal’s tourism sector, which is now operating at 92.96 percent of pre-pandemic levels, with 2019 serving as the last reference point, when 134,096 tourists visited in October.
NTB Director Mani Raj Lamichhane expressed optimism, noting that despite a slight decline in October due to heavy rainfall and bad weather at the start of the month, the remaining months of 2024 are expected to see a surge in tourist numbers.
On a regional level, visitor numbers from Nepal’s neighboring countries India and China have seen a decrease in recent months.
In October, there were 16,313 visitors from India, a 13 percent drop from the previous month, while Chinese arrivals also fell to 7,750 in October from higher figures in August and September.
Experts attribute these declines to the monsoon season, which may have affected travel plans.
However, tourists from other regions, particularly the U.S., have shown increasing interest.
American arrivals saw a notable 12.88 percent increase in October, totaling 16,023.
Other key markets included the United Kingdom (8,019 tourists), Australia (6,929), and Germany (6,018), indicating strong global demand for Nepal’s famous travel experiences.
Throughout the year, March was the peak month for tourism, with 128,167 visitors, while July recorded the lowest turnout with just 64,599 tourists.
This pattern highlights the seasonal appeal of Nepal’s trekking routes and natural sites, which draw the largest crowds in spring.
Other strong months included May with 90,211 visitors and January with 79,100 tourists, showing consistent growth despite some early-year monsoon disruptions.
September saw 96,305 arrivals, and August recorded 72,719 tourists.
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