Himal Press 
Tourists at Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
KATHMANDU: Nepal recorded a modest 2.25% growth in international tourist arrivals over the first eight months of 2025.
A total of 736,562 international tourists visited Nepal between January and August this year, up from 720,335 during the same period in 2024. The growth was largely driven by a strong performance in August, when Nepal welcomed 88,680 visitors – a 21.95% growth compared to arrivals recorded in August last year.
According to Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), August’s figures represented 94% percent of pre-pandemic arrivals. In August 2019, before the COVID-19 crisis disrupted global travel, Nepal had received 94,749 international tourists.
As usual, India remained the dominant source market for Nepal in August, accounting for 40% of total arrivals. Nepal welcomed 35,505 visitors from its southern neighbor during the month. China followed with 7,533 tourists, while the United States contributed 6,068 visitors. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, with 5,956 and 4,262 arrivals.
Region-wise, South Asia made up the bulk of arrivals at 47,137, or 53% of the total. Other Asian countries (except SAARC nations) contributed 17.8%, followed by Europe at 12.6%. The Americas accounted for just over 8%, Oceania for 2.7%, while arrivals from the Middle East and Africa remained negligible.
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, known for favorable weather and major cultural festivals, are typically the busiest months for the country’s tourism industry.
Nepal received 1,147,568 international tourists in 2024, a 13.07% increase over 2023. However, the total was still 4.14% below the record high of 1,197,191 set in 2019.
