Over 1 Million Tourists arrival in Nepal in 2024

Nepal has reached a significant milestone in tourism, welcoming 1,055,533 foreign visitors in the first 11 months of 2024. According to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), this marks a 5.4% increase from the same period in 2023. However, tourist arrivals are still below the pre-pandemic figure at 87.87% of 2019’s record figures.

Monthly Tourist Arrivals in 2024

• Highest Months: March (128,167), October (124,393)

• Lowest Months: July (64,600), June (76,736)

• Other Key Months: January (79,100), February (97,426), April (111,376), May (90,211), August (72,719), September (96,305), November (114,501)

India remains Nepal’s largest source of visitors, contributing 19,915 (17.4% market share) tourists in November and 293,000 from January to November 2024. The USA (10,981- 9.6%), China (9,458- 8.3%), the UK (6,611- 5.8%), and Bangladesh (5,148- 4.5%) follow as major contributors.

The share of Australia in the total tourist arrival in the month of November is 4.2%, Thailand (3.9%), Sri Lanka (3.8%), Germany (3.4%), and France (3.4%).

Despite progress, Nepal’s tourism sector has faced obstacles, including natural disasters in September, reduced operating hours at Tribhuvan International Airport, air accidents, and poor road infrastructure. These issues have hindered NTB’s goal of 1.32 million tourists for 2024.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), expressed optimism about the sector’s future, citing the recovery rate of 88% compared to 2019 as encouraging. The board emphasized the need for stronger marketing campaigns targeting the USA, China, and India to attract more visitors.

Tourism Trends at a Glance

• 2019 (Peak Year): 1.19 million tourists

• 2020/21 (Pandemic Impact): 230,000

• 2021/22: 150,700

• 2022/23: 614,000

• 2023/24: 1.01 million

To sustain the tourism growth in the market, the NTB and private sector must address challenges and invest in marketing, infrastructure, and digital strategies. Together, these efforts can position Nepal as a top global destination.