Nepal welcomes over 621,000 tourists in first half of 2026

Nepal has received more than 621,000 tourists in the first half of 2026.This number includes visitors from all over the world, and the increase is due to the country recovering after the pandemic and more people traveling within the region.Nepal welcomes over 621,000 tourists in first half of 2026.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, a total of 621,624 international tourists came to Nepal between January and June 2026.
This growth is happening because of strong interest from nearby countries like India, the United States, China, and others.

In June alone, Nepal welcomed 91,363 international tourists, which is a 19.5 per cent rise compared to June 2025, when 76,425 tourists visited.
This number is also 22 per cent higher than June 2019, when 74,883 visitors came, showing that Nepal’s tourism industry is recovering and growing.Nepal welcomes over 621,000 tourists in first half of 2026.

Looking at the numbers for each month so far this year, January had 92,573 visitors, February had 105,441, March had 120,516, April had 107,934, May had 102,626, and June had 91,363.

India was the biggest source of tourists in June, with 41,809 visitors, making up 45.76 per cent of the total.Nepal welcomes over 621,000 tourists in first half of 2026.
The United States came second with 11,836 visitors (12.95 per cent), followed by China with 9,995 tourists (10.94 per cent).

Bangladesh and Australia were the fourth and fifth largest sources, with 4,322 and 2,896 visitors respectively.
Other countries included the United Kingdom (1,500 visitors), Malaysia (1,598), Bhutan (1,362), Canada (1,011), and Japan (925).

Mani Raj Lamichhane, Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, said that Indian tourists have been coming steadily over the years.
He said that in June, more than 45 per cent of tourists were from India, which shows that India remains Nepal’s main source of visitors.

In May, about 40,782 Indian tourists visited Nepal, making up 39.74 per cent of all visitors.
Lamichhane said that ongoing marketing efforts by the Nepal Tourism Board and private companies in India over the past few years have helped increase the number of Indian tourists coming to Nepal.

He also mentioned that due to a call from India for its citizens to spend less in US dollars because of tensions between the United States and Iran, some Indian travelers who previously went to places like Dubai, Thailand, and Europe, chose Nepal instead.

Besides those arriving by plane, many Indian visitors have also traveled to Pokhara and other parts of Nepal in the last two months.
Lamichhane emphasized the importance of continuing marketing campaigns in India, Bangladesh, and China to bring in more tourists in the near future.

Looking at the regions of origin, South Asia (SAARC) accounted for 52.82 per cent of all visitors (48,254), which is the largest share.
Other parts of Asia contributed 17.68 per cent (16,152), the Americas contributed 14.4 per cent (13,119), Europe accounted for 7.61 per cent (6,954), Oceania contributed 3.4 per cent (3,039), the Middle East contributed 0.7 per cent (674), and Africa accounted for 0.3 per cent (292).

The consistent increase in visitors from major markets shows that Nepal is becoming a top destination in South Asia.
This growth is supported by better transportation links, rising international interest, and the momentum from the post-pandemic recovery.

Related,

Nepal whip US by 122 runs in Alliance 2 finale