Tourist Arrivals in Nepal Reach 647,000 in Seven Months, But Growth Remains Sluggish

Nepal welcomed a total of 647,882 foreign tourists via air in the first seven months of 2025, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. July alone saw the arrival of 70,193 international visitors. While these numbers mark a gradual recovery in the tourism sector post-pandemic, the overall increase has not been as significant as expected. Despite early projections for a 10 percent growth over 2024's total of 1.14 million foreign arrivals, the year’s current performance suggests only modest gains so far.

Tourism officials have attributed the slower-than-expected growth to several persistent challenges. Limited international promotion, high airfare rates, and global conflicts have all impacted Nepal's appeal as a tourist destination. In addition, logistical and accessibility issues continue to hinder the inflow of visitors. Though tourism numbers have improved compared to last year, the sector is yet to match the record levels seen in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international travel.

Monthly arrival data for 2025 shows a peak in March with 121,687 visitors, followed by a steady decline through July. Indian nationals formed the largest group of foreign tourists in July, accounting for nearly 39 percent of total arrivals. Chinese and American tourists followed closely, while a notable rise in visitors from Bangladesh was observed. While the nearly 9 percent rise in July arrivals compared to the same month last year is encouraging, industry stakeholders stress the need for better connectivity and cost-efficiency to sustain growth.