KATHMANDU: Nepal recorded a significant rise in tourist arrivals during the ongoing monsoon season, with August alone welcoming 88,680 visitors, according to figures released by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on Monday.
Compared to the same period last year, arrivals in August rose by 22 percent, marking a strong sign of recovery for the country’s tourism industry.
India continues to lead as Nepal’s largest source market, contributing 35,505 visitors — nearly 40 percent of the total arrivals. China followed with 7,533 visitors (8.5 percent), while the United States sent 6,068 (6.8 percent). Sri Lanka accounted for 5,956 (6.7 percent) and Bangladesh 4,262 (4.8 percent).
In the first eight months of 2025, a total of 736,562 international tourists visited Nepal. By region, South Asia (SAARC countries) made up the largest share with 47,137 visitors (53 percent), followed by other Asian countries at 15,777 (17.8 percent), Europe at 11,132 (12.6 percent), and Oceania at 2,435 (2.7 percent).
Similarly, 7,293 visitors came from the Americas, 944 from the Middle East, 322 from Africa, and 3,640 from other countries.
July had recorded 70,193 visitors, indicating steady month-on-month growth. NTB Chief Executive Officer Deepak Raj Joshi said the upward trend shows Nepal’s tourism is steadily recovering after the severe setback caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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