Kathmandu. Nepal welcomed a total of 78,711 international visitors in September 2025, representing an 18.3% decline compared to the same month in 2024. Despite this decrease, the country achieved an encouraging 85% recovery compared to the pre-pandemic arrivals of September 2019, indicating that the tourism sector continues to move steadily toward full recovery. Over the first nine months of 2025 (January–September), Nepal recorded a cumulative total of 8,15,273 international visitor arrivals, reflecting a positive trend in the nation’s tourism growth despite global economic challenges and travel fluctuations.
India remained the top source market for Nepal, contributing 15,556 visitors (19.8%), followed by the USA with 9,679 visitors (12.3%), Australia with 6,824 visitors (8.7%), China with 5,237 visitors (6.7%), and the UK with 4,981 visitors (6.3%). In terms of regional distribution, South Asia (SAARC) led the chart with 24,285 visitors (30.9%), followed by Europe with 16,597 (21.1%), Asia (other) with 12,590 (16.0%), the Americas with 11,523 (14.6%), Oceania with 7,314 (9.3%), the Middle East with 2,328 (3.0%), and Africa with 344 (0.4%), while other regions accounted for 3,730 visitors (4.17%).
Tourism experts have expressed optimism about the country’s steady recovery, attributing the positive trends to improved connectivity, targeted promotional campaigns, and Nepal’s diverse natural and cultural attractions. However, they have also emphasized the need for stronger marketing strategies, policy support, and regional collaboration to sustain growth and attract more visitors in the coming months.
