Nepal’s tourism sector had a promising start in January, with a 15% increase in tourist arrivals compared to the previous year, totaling 92,573 visitors, as reported by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). This rise is also 14% higher than January 2019 figures, pre-COVID-19. Despite concerns following political unrest in September, Nepal’s tourism industry showed resilience.
The aftermath of the GenZ protests, which led to significant casualties and property damage, had initially raised worries about the sector’s future. Notably, foreign-branded hotels like the Hyatt Regency and Hilton were severely affected, with the Hilton being destroyed by fire and the Hyatt undergoing maintenance. Despite these challenges, Nepal’s tourism industry demonstrated a gradual recovery.
NTB’s Chief Executive Officer, Deepak Raj Joshi, highlighted that the January 2026 arrivals reflect growing confidence in Nepal within the global tourism market. Factors such as destination promotion efforts, enhanced air connectivity, rising interest in adventure and cultural tourism, and an improved international image of Nepal have contributed to the increase in tourist numbers.
India led the source countries for tourist arrivals in January, with 26,624 Indian visitors accounting for 28.8% of total arrivals. This was followed by China, the United States, Bangladesh, and Australia. Regionally, South Asian countries (SAARC) constituted the largest share of arrivals, followed by other Asian countries, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. Middle East and African tourists made up smaller percentages of the total.
In 2025, Nepal welcomed 1.15 million foreign tourists, marking a 1% increase from the previous year, indicating a positive trend in the country’s tourism sector.
