Nepal welcomed nearly 80,000 tourists in the first month of 2025, marking a steady improvement in visitor numbers compared to the same period last year. According to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), a total of 79,991 foreign tourists arrived in the country in January 2025, compared to 79,100 in January 2024. The increase in overall tourist arrivals signals a positive trend for Nepal’s tourism industry, despite fluctuations in regional visitor statistics.
Indian Tourist Arrivals Decline Due to Kumbh Mela and Safety Concerns
While the overall number of tourists has improved, Indian tourist arrivals saw a significant drop. In January 2025, only 20,485 tourists from India visited Nepal, marking a 15% decline from 24,139 in January 2024. Maniraj Lamichhane, Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, attributes this decline to the ongoing Kumbha Mela, which has drawn a significant number of Indian travelers to the religious festival. Additionally, concerns over road safety following a series of major accidents involving Indian nationals in Nepal have also impacted arrival numbers.
Bangladeshi Tourist Arrivals Surge by 49%
In contrast, Nepal saw a remarkable increase in Bangladeshi tourist arrivals, with 5,406 visitors in January 2025, compared to 3,629 in the same month last year. This 49% surge suggests growing interest among Bangladeshi travelers in Nepal’s tourism offerings. Tourism officials cite improved air connectivity and targeted promotions as key factors contributing to this sharp rise.

Chinese Visitors Return, but Still Below Pre-Pandemic Levels
China has also shown an upward trend in sending tourists to Nepal. In January 2025, a total of 8,191 Chinese tourists arrived, reflecting a 12.7% increase from 7,267 in January 2024. However, despite this improvement, the number of Chinese tourists remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels. In January 2019, before COVID-19 disrupted global travel, 12,916 Chinese tourists visited Nepal, indicating that full recovery is yet to be achieved.
South Asian Market Sees Mixed Trends
Apart from Bangladesh, the overall South Asian tourist arrivals have declined, primarily due to the drop in Indian visitors. While Pakistan and Bhutan saw an increase in arrivals, Sri Lankan tourist arrivals declined slightly, with only 407 visitors in January 2025.

Similarly, the Southeast Asian market presented mixed results. Vietnam and Indonesia contributed more tourists, whereas Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, and South Korea saw a decline in visitor numbers to Nepal. The total number of Asian tourists arriving in Nepal saw an overall decrease due to the fluctuations in regional tourism trends.
European Tourists Drive Growth in Nepal’s Tourism Sector
The European market performed well, with a notable increase in visitors from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Russia. The UK remained the top European source market, with 3,521 British tourists visiting Nepal in January 2025, a 7.5% rise from 3,276 in January 2024. Germany sent 1,321 tourists, while France recorded 1,010 arrivals, and Russia contributed 616 visitors. This growth reflects Nepal’s continued appeal as a preferred destination for European travelers, particularly for trekking and adventure tourism.
Australia and North America See Strong Gains
The Australian and North American markets also saw encouraging growth. Australia recorded 4,301 tourists, an increase from 3,421 in January 2024. Similarly, the United States emerged as a strong contributor, with 8,063 American tourists arriving in Nepal, compared to 7,047 in the same month last year.

Decline in Middle Eastern and African Tourists
In contrast to the growth in European and North American visitors, tourist arrivals from the Middle East and Africa declined. Tourism authorities cite economic uncertainties and changing travel preferences as possible reasons behind this downturn.
Positive Outlook for 2025 Tourism
Despite fluctuations in arrivals from various regions, the overall increase in tourists visiting Nepal in January 2025 is a positive indicator for the country’s tourism industry. The rise in trekkers and adventure travelers from Europe, North America, and Australia has helped offset the decline in Indian and South Asian visitors. As Nepal continues to enhance its tourism infrastructure and promote new travel experiences, officials are optimistic about continued growth in visitor numbers throughout 2025.
Nepal’s tourism revival efforts appear to be yielding results, with steady growth in foreign arrivals. While challenges remain particularly in regaining pre-pandemic numbers from China and sustaining South Asian market growth the increasing inflow from Europe, North America, and Australia provides a strong foundation for Nepal’s tourism sector. With improved connectivity, targeted promotions, and infrastructure development, Nepal is positioning itself as a top destination for global travelers in 2025.
Souce: NTB