Nepal’s tourism sector continues its recovery momentum, with 88,680 foreign tourists visiting the country in August 2025, marking a 22% increase compared to the same month last year. The latest figures, released by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on Monday, indicate steady growth, signaling a strong rebound after the severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Strong Growth from Key Source Markets
According to NTB’s statistics, India remains Nepal’s largest source of international visitors, contributing 35,505 tourists, equivalent to 40% of total arrivals in August. China ranked second with 7,533 tourists (8.5%), followed by the United States with 6,068 tourists (6.8%).
Other notable contributors included Sri Lanka with 5,956 visitors (6.7%) and Bangladesh with 4,262 visitors (4.8%). The increased inflow from India is partly attributed to the addition of Air India Express flights, making travel between the two countries more accessible and frequent.
Cumulative Arrivals Reach 736,562 in First Eight Months
From January to August 2025, Nepal welcomed a total of 736,562 tourists, reflecting strong year-to-date performance. Region-wise, the South Asian (SAARC) region dominated the arrivals list with 47,137 visitors (53%). This was followed by other Asian countries with 15,777 visitors (17.8%) and Europe with 11,132 visitors (12.6%).
The Oceania region contributed 2,435 visitors (2.7%), while the Americas accounted for 7,293 visitors (8.2%). Tourist arrivals from the Middle East stood at 944 visitors (1.1%), Africa at 322 visitors (0.4%), and other countries combined at 3,640 visitors (4.1%).
Month-on-Month Improvement
The August 2025 figures represent a clear improvement over the previous month, July 2025, when 70,193 tourists visited Nepal. This steady month-on-month growth is seen as an encouraging sign for the tourism industry as it strives to surpass pre-pandemic arrival levels.
Tourism Sector’s Steady Recovery
NTB’s Chief Executive Officer, Deepak Raj Joshi, expressed optimism about the continued growth of the sector. “The tourism industry, which had been severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, is now steadily recovering. The recent rise in arrivals, particularly from India, has been positively impacted by the expansion of Air India Express flights. We are hopeful that tourist arrivals will continue to grow in the coming months,” he stated.
Joshi highlighted that targeted promotional campaigns, improved connectivity, and a series of cultural and adventure tourism events have contributed to this growth. He also noted that with Nepal’s diverse attractions, from trekking routes in the Himalayas to heritage sites in Kathmandu Valley, the country remains a competitive and appealing destination for both regional and long-haul markets.
Outlook for the Rest of 2025
Tourism stakeholders are optimistic that Nepal will experience sustained growth throughout the rest of the year, with upcoming festivals, trekking seasons, and enhanced airline connectivity expected to draw more visitors. Industry experts believe that strategic partnerships with airlines, targeted marketing in emerging markets, and improved tourist infrastructure will be key to achieving and possibly exceeding the one-million-arrivals milestone by the end of 2025.
