Tourism Info Nepal

Tourist Arrivals in Nepal in 2024: Over 1 Million Foreign Visitors Recorded

Tourist Arrivals in Nepal in 2024: Over 1 Million Foreign Visitors Recorded

In 2024, Nepal welcomed over 1 million foreign tourists by November, as per the latest data from the Nepal Tourism Board. From January to November, 1,055,533 foreign visitors traveled to Nepal via air, contributing to the country’s tourism growth. However, the target set for the year, which aimed to attract 1.3 million tourists, now seems challenging, with only one month left in the year. The board anticipates around 70,000 visitors in December, bringing the total tourist arrivals to approximately 1.115 million by the end of 2024.

The data also highlights a strong performance in November, with 114,501 foreign tourists visiting Nepal. This figure marks a 5.4% increase from the same month in 2023, which saw 108,630 visitors. Compared to November 2019, which recorded 130,303 arrivals, the current month’s performance remains relatively strong. Maniraj Lamichhane, Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, noted that the increase in 2024 arrivals compared to 2023 is modest, showing nearly a 10% rise. In 2023, Nepal had hosted 1,014,871 foreign tourists.

The board had initially projected that Nepal’s tourist numbers in 2024 would surpass those of 2019, a year that saw 1,197,191 visitors. Lamichhane emphasized that Nepal’s tourism recovery was ahead of the Asia-Pacific region, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which reported a 96% recovery in Nepal’s tourism, compared to a global recovery rate of 93%.

However, Lamichhane acknowledged that achieving the 2024 tourist arrival target would be difficult due to several factors. He pointed out that disruptions such as the prolonged halt in international promotions, airplane accidents, natural disasters, and the closure of Tribhuvan International Airport for 10 hours in late October had impacted the flow of tourists.

Data from the board showed significant tourist arrivals from key markets in November. India sent 19,915 visitors, followed by the United States with 10,981, and China with 9,458. Other notable sources included the United Kingdom (5,511), Bangladesh (5,148), Australia (4,829), Thailand (4,262), Sri Lanka (4,395), Germany (3,926), and France (3,841).

In terms of monthly arrivals, March saw the highest number of tourists, with 128,167 visitors, while July recorded the lowest with only 64,599 tourists. Other months such as October, April, and September saw notable tourist inflows as well. Despite facing challenges, Nepal’s tourism sector remains resilient, with positive growth prospects for the coming years.

Press + K to search