Nepal recorded 647,882 foreign tourist arrivals via air between January and July 2025, according to data released by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Although this figure suggests a slow recovery, it reflects signs of improvement, particularly compared to 2024.
In July alone, 70,193 foreign tourists visited the country—a 9% increase over July 2024, which had recorded 64,598 visitors. However, the number still falls short of the record-breaking 70,916 tourists who entered Nepal in July 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted global travel.
Slower-Than-Expected Growth
Despite NTB’s initial projection of a 10% growth in tourist arrivals for 2025 (based on global post-COVID recovery trends), the halfway mark of the year indicates Nepal might miss the target. In 2024, 1,147,548 foreign tourists visited Nepal. A 10% increase would mean about 1.26 million visitors in 2025, requiring over 600,000 more tourist arrivals in the remaining five months.
NTB officials attribute the underwhelming growth to several challenges:
- Lack of aggressive international promotion
- High airfare to and from Nepal
- Geopolitical instability globally
- Domestic uncertainties and limited accessibility
“These factors continue to discourage potential travelers, pushing them toward cheaper or more accessible destinations,” said Maniraj Lamichhane, NTB’s Pokhara office chief.
Monthly Breakdown of Arrivals in 2025
- January: 79,991
- February: 96,880
- March: 121,687
- April: 116,490
- May: 86,216
- June: 76,425
- July: 70,193
The figures peaked in March and April, coinciding with Nepal’s popular spring trekking season.
Country-Wise Arrivals in July 2025
- India: 27,152 (39% of total arrivals)
- China: 6,890 (9%)
- USA: 6,626 (9%)
- Bangladesh: 4,413 (6%+)
India remains Nepal’s largest tourist source, followed by China and the US. Notably, Bangladesh has emerged as a growing market, attributed to increased interest and regional proximity.
Outlook and Concerns
While officials view the year-on-year improvement as a positive indicator, they acknowledge that current infrastructure, pricing, and marketing efforts are insufficient to compete in the regional tourism market.
The NTB is now under increasing pressure to revise its promotion strategy, improve air connectivity, and address cost-related barriers to ensure Nepal remains a viable and attractive destination for global travelers.
