Nepal Tourism Soars: Over 583,000 Tourists Visit in First Half of 2024

Nepal Tourism Soars: Over 583,000 Tourists Visit in First Half of 2024

Nepal has seen a significant surge in tourism, welcoming 583,016 foreign visitors by the end of June 2024. According to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), this marks an impressive increase in comparison to previous years, with a 6.21% rise from June 2023 and a 2.47% increase from June 2019.

In June 2024 alone, 76,736 tourists arrived, up from 72,250 in June 2023 and 74,883 in June 2019. The consistent growth each month paints a positive picture for Nepal’s tourism sector.

• January 2024: 79,100 visitors
• February 2024: 97,426 visitors
• March 2024: 128,167 visitors
• April 2024: 111,376 visitors
• May 2024: 90,211 visitors
• June 2024: 76,736 visitors

The largest number of tourists in June 2024 came from India, with 37,835 visitors, followed by USA: 8,281 visitors, China: 7,494 visitors, Bangladesh: 3,857 visitors, UK: 1,969 visitors, Australia: 1,589 visitors, Bhutan: 1,066 visitors, Malaysia: 1,014 visitors, Japan: 953 visitors and South Korea: 875 visitors.

The government aims to attract 1.6 million tourists in the upcoming fiscal year (2024/25). The budget, unveiled on May 28, outlines plans to promote tourism through various programs, including roadshows, fairs, and festivals in major cities in India, China, and other countries. Additionally, there is a focus on identifying and promoting new destinations within Nepal to increase tourist arrivals.

With the consistent upward trend in tourist arrivals, Nepal is on track to surpass previous years’ figures. The tourism board is also working on strategies to attract more Chinese tourists, whose numbers have not increased as expected due to economic factors affecting outbound travel. The positive trajectory in 2024 bodes well for Nepal’s tourism sector, signaling robust growth and greater international interest in the country’s attractions.