Nepal has continued to witness a steady influx of tourists in 2024, with both air and land routes contributing to the overall numbers. The statistics show a fluctuating but significant pattern of tourist arrivals each month, reflecting both the seasonal nature of travel and the appeal of Nepal as a destination for adventure and culture enthusiasts.
In January 2024, a total of 79,101 tourists arrived in the country. Of these, 68,249 entered via air, making air travel the dominant mode of arrival, while 10,852 entered through land borders. As the year progressed, February saw a notable increase in tourist numbers, with 97,423 visitors. The majority, 81,820, arrived by air, while 15,603 entered via land. This substantial rise in February indicated the start of the peak season for tourism in Nepal, as the weather improves and the country’s famous trekking routes and cultural attractions become more accessible.
March 2024 recorded the highest tourist influx of the year so far, with a total of 128,167 visitors. A significant 109,048 of these tourists arrived by air, while 19,119 entered through land routes. The surge in March arrivals can be attributed to the popularity of spring trekking and mountaineering expeditions, which draw adventurers from all over the world to Nepal’s iconic Himalayas.
However, by April, the number of arrivals saw a decline, with a total of 111,382 tourists entering the country. Out of these, 105,390 arrived via air, while only 5,992 crossed through land. This drop from the March high may reflect the gradual end of the trekking season and the beginning of warmer weather, which can make travel in some regions less desirable.
In May, the downward trend continued with 92,035 total arrivals, of which 87,481 came by air and 4,554 by land. The approach of the monsoon season likely contributed to this decline, as heavy rains make trekking and outdoor activities more challenging. By June, tourist arrivals dropped further to 76,647, with 73,112 arriving by air and only 3,535 entering through land.
July marked a slight uptick in tourist numbers, with a total of 64,598 arrivals. Air travel continued to dominate with 59,923 tourists flying into the country, while 4,675 arrived via land. This slight increase could be attributed to the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the summer vacation period in many parts of the world.
August, however, saw a stronger recovery in tourist numbers, with a total of 72,717 visitors entering Nepal. Of these, 63,966 came by air, and 8,751 arrived via land. This resurgence aligns with the return of more favorable weather conditions and the buildup to Nepal’s autumn tourism season, one of the most popular times for visitors due to the clear skies and excellent trekking opportunities.
As of August 2024, Nepal has welcomed a total of 722,070 tourists, with 648,989 arriving by air and 73,081 entering through land. These figures highlight the country’s continued attractiveness as a global travel destination, despite seasonal fluctuations and other challenges. The data also underscores the dominance of air travel as the primary means of entering Nepal, with land arrivals accounting for a much smaller proportion of total visitors. As Nepal gears up for its autumn peak season, the country is expected to see further increases in tourist arrivals, contributing to its thriving tourism industry.
