Source::Nepal Tourism Board
Tourism in Nepal continues to regain momentum in 2024, with the month of September recording a total of 96,305 tourist arrivals, marking a 5.82% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This growth also represents a 4.00% increase compared to the pre-pandemic figures of 2019, signaling a steady recovery of Nepal’s tourism industry.
Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic in recent years, Nepal’s tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience. The recovery is particularly significant when viewed against the backdrop of 2020, when the country saw a record low of just 584 arrivals in September due to COVID-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions.
A comparison of the September tourist arrivals over the last five years paints a clear picture of recovery:
2024: 96,305
2023: 91,012
2022: 58,314
2021: 9,907
2020: 584
2019: 92,604
Total Departures for the month of September 2024: 77,022
Tourism Growth compared to 2019: 4.00 %
Top Tourist Generating Markets
India remains the largest source of tourists to Nepal, with 22,984 arrivals in September 2024 alone. The historical, cultural, and geographical proximity between the two nations contributes significantly to this steady influx of Indian tourists. The growing popularity of Nepal as a destination for adventure tourism and spiritual pilgrimages ensures a consistent flow of visitors from India.
Other key markets contributing to the tourism inflow include:
United States of America (USA): 10,084
China: 8,042
Australia: 5,038
Sri Lanka: 4,915
United Kingdom (UK): 4,493
Bangladesh: 4,103
Germany: 2,704
South Korea: 2,351
Malaysia: 2,280
With 96,305 visitors in September 2024, Nepal's tourism sector is rapidly rebounding and is expected to have much more expansion in the years to come. Nepal's economy is expected to experience growth and solidify its position as a top tourism destination globally, thanks to the sector's resiliency and the country's varied attractions and robust tourist base, which includes visitors from China, the USA, and India.
As the year progresses and festival seasons such as Dashain and Tihar draw near, Nepal’s tourism numbers are expected to rise further, reaffirming the country’s status as a must-visit destination for travellers worldwide.
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