Nepal welcomed a total of 70,193 international tourists in July 2025, reflecting an 8.7% increase compared to the same month last year. According to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), this strong inflow marks a significant recovery in the country’s tourism sector, with the tourist arrival rate reaching 99% of the pre-pandemic level of April 2019. This resurgence highlights Nepal’s steady progress toward restoring its tourism industry, which had been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Strong Start to 2025: Over 647,000 Tourists in Seven Months
From January to July 2025, a total of 647,882 international tourists arrived in Nepal. This figure is the highest for any seven-month period since the onset of the pandemic, outperforming all post-COVID years. Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, expressed optimism, stating, “This volume of tourist arrivals demonstrates Nepal’s resilience and growing popularity as a global travel destination. The trend is very encouraging for the future of tourism in Nepal.”
India Leads Tourist Arrivals in July
In terms of source countries, India contributed the highest number of tourists in July, with 27,152 arrivals, making up 38.7% of the total monthly arrivals. This was followed by:
- China with 6,890 tourists (9.8%)
- USA with 6,626 tourists (9.4%)
- Bangladesh with 4,413 tourists (6.3%)
- United Kingdom with 3,547 tourists (5.1%)
The detailed arrival data for July 2025 is summarized below:
| Country | No. of Tourists | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| India | 27,152 | 38.7% |
| China | 6,890 | 9.8% |
| United States | 6,626 | 9.4% |
| Bangladesh | 4,413 | 6.3% |
| United Kingdom | 3,547 | 5.1% |
| Others | 21,565 | 30.7% |
| Total | 70,193 | 100% |
Regional Tourist Distribution Highlights South Asia’s Dominance
In terms of regional distribution, South Asian countries accounted for the largest share of tourist arrivals in July, comprising nearly 48.1% of the total. Other key regions contributing to Nepal’s inbound tourism are as follows:
| Region | No. of Tourists | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| South Asia | 33,787 | 48.1% |
| Other Asian countries | 13,052 | 18.6% |
| Europe | 9,292 | 13.2% |
| Americas | 12,775 | 11.1% |
| Oceania | 1,807 | 2.6% |
| Middle East | 826 | 1.2% |
| Africa | 318 | 0.5% |
| Others | 3,329 | 4.7% |
| Total | 70,193 | 100% |
Promotional Campaigns and Private Sector Efforts Yield Results
CEO Joshi attributed this positive trend to ongoing promotional campaigns under the “Visit Nepal Decade” initiative. He noted, “The increase in tourist arrivals is the result of consistent promotional efforts, strategic marketing campaigns, and the continued collaboration between the government and private sector stakeholders.”
He further added that Nepal’s diverse tourism offerings, from adventure travel and spiritual experiences to culture and wellness, are drawing increased attention from travelers worldwide. The country’s improved air connectivity, upgraded infrastructure, and the resumption of international flights to major airports like Tribhuvan International Airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport, and Pokhara International Airport have further facilitated tourism growth.
Outlook for Rest of 2025
With the upcoming autumn trekking and festival season, the peak time for tourism in Nepal, industry stakeholders expect even higher arrival numbers in the coming months. The government and tourism authorities are also working on digital tourism promotion, improving safety standards, and offering new tourism products to sustain the momentum.
If this growth trend continues, Nepal could surpass the 1 million mark in annual tourist arrivals for 2025, edging closer to pre-pandemic numbers and setting the stage for a full-scale recovery of the tourism industry.
