Kathmandu, May 2: Nepal’s tourism industry has hit a new milestone, with the average monthly tourist arrivals crossing the 100,000 mark for the first time in 2024, according to the latest figures from the Nepal Tourism Board.
From January to April this year, the Himalayan nation welcomed a total of 416,769 foreign tourists, translating to an average of 104,017 visitors per month.
While the numbers in the first two months were relatively moderate at 79,100 in January and 97,426 in February, arrivals surged in March (128,167) and April (111,376), cementing the trend of over 100,000 monthly visitors.
“April alone saw 111,376 tourist arrivals in Nepal, indicating the consistent growth in inbound travel this year,” said Maniraj Lamichhane, Director of the Nepal Tourism Board.
The official data, however, only accounts for Indian tourists arriving by air, excluding the significant numbers who enter Nepal over land borders.
Tourists Arrivals by Month:
The provided data is:
- January: 79,100
- February: 97,426
- March: 128,167
- April: 111,376
Country-wise Arrivals
Indian nationals continued to top the charts, making up 110,573 of the total arrivals in the first four months. The summer months of March-May traditionally witness an influx of Indian visitors escaping the heat to Nepal’s hill stations, a potential that remains underexploited.
A close race ensued for the second spot between Chinese and American tourists. While 38,290 Chinese nationals visited during this period, with 9,750 arrivals in April alone, the U.S. wasn’t far behind at 36,846 for the four months and 9,947 visitors in April.
Other major source markets included the UK (5,391 in April), Australia (4,110), Bangladesh (4,300), France (3,755), Germany (3,270), Russia (2,977), and Malaysia (2,310).
Compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019 when April arrivals stood at 109,399, this year’s figures mark a significant rebound for Nepal’s tourism after the COVID-19 disruptions of 2020-2022.
As the peak trekking season approaches, the country’s tourism stakeholders are optimistic about sustaining this growth momentum through enhanced infrastructure, promotional campaigns, and an ever-improving visitor experience.
