International tourist arrivals marginally up in October

KATHMANDU: International tourist arrivals to Nepal reached 128,443 in October 2025, marking a 3.3% increase compared to the same month last year, data released by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on Sunday shows.

The figure represents a 96% recovery compared to pre-pandemic levels in October 2019, according to NTB.

Between January and October 2025, Nepal welcomed a total of 943,716 international visitors via air, slightly higher than during the same period in 2024. Total arrivals over the first 10 months of 2025 are equivalent to 98% of pre-pandemic arrivals i.e., 2019.

Nepal welcomed 1,147,567 tourists in 2024, a 13.1% increase from 2023. A total of 941,032 international tourists visited Nepal over the first 10 months of 2024, with 124,393 arrivals in October alone.

India remained the largest source market for Nepal in the review month, contributing 17,298 visitors, or 13.5%, of total arrivals. The United States was next with 13,286 visitors, followed by the United Kingdom (8,718), China (6,755) and Germany (6,366).

Regionally, Europe accounted for the highest share of arrivals with 40,600 visitors, or 31.6% of the total arrivals, followed by South Asia (22.6%), other parts of Asia (18%), and the Americas (12.8%). Arrivals from Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa represented smaller shares at 5.3%, 2.8%, and 0.3%, respectively.

In addition to rising arrivals, the NTB has reported strong tourism-related earnings and investments. Foreign currency earnings in Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September) stood at Rs 6.21 billion, while tourism-related foreign direct investment (FDI) commitments in Ashoj (mid-September to mid-October) reached Rs 1.46 billion across 103 projects.

According to the NTB, mountaineering activity also remained robust during the autumn season. The government issued climbing permits to 1,450 climbers from 175 expedition teams. These climbers represented 83 countries. The government mobilized Rs 255.16 million in mountaineering royalties during the season.

Tourism arrivals in Nepal typically increase from August as the monsoon season subsides, leading into the peak season that lasts through December. October and November, which are known for favorable weather and major cultural festivals, are typically the busiest months for the country’s tourism industry.