Nepal’s tourism sector maintained its upward trajectory in November 2024, witnessing a 5.4% growth in international arrivals compared to the same month in 2023.
According to data from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), 114,501 tourists visited the country in November 2024, up from 108,630 in November 2023.
While arrivals from China increased significantly by 24.4%, the number of visitors from major markets like India, the United States, and Australia declined.
Key Trends and Regional Performance
SAARC Nations See Mixed Results
The South Asian region recorded a 5.4% decline, primarily due to a sharp 18.5% drop in Indian visitors, who continue to be Nepal’s largest source market. Nearly 20,000 Indian tourists visited Nepal this November, compared to 24,500 in November 2023.
Despite the drop from India, other SAARC countries showed impressive growth such as Bangladesh (36.9%), Sri Lanka (+36.2%) and Bhutan (+19.9%)
The SAARC region contributed 27.2% of total arrivals.
Read: Stakeholders Optimistic for Full Recovery Soon as Tourist Arrivals Approach Pre-Pandemic Level
Other Asian Markets Drive Double-Digit Growth
Non-SAARC Asian markets grew by a robust 11%, with standout performances from China – 9,458 visitors in 2024, compared to 7,601 in 2023 and Singapore ( +28.3%)
However, Myanmar saw a sharp 38.2% decline in arrivals. Collectively, these markets accounted for 21.7% of total visitors.
The pie chart shows the share of international visitor arrivals to Nepal by region in November 2024. Source: Department of Immigration & Nepal Tourism Board
Europe Shines Bright
Europe emerged as one of the best-performing regions, with a 15.3% growth in arrivals. Key contributors included Poland (+40.1%), Czech Republic (+43.2%) and Spain (+35.5%)
The United Kingdom, a key market for Nepal, recorded a 7.7% increase in tourist arrivals. Europe contributed 22.8% to the overall arrivals, reflecting its strong interest in Nepal’s offerings.
Oceania Declines Slightly
Arrivals from Oceania declined by 3.8%, driven by a 4.6% drop in Australian tourists. However, New Zealand showed modest growth of 5.1%. Oceania accounted for 4.9% of total arrivals.
Mixed Trends in the Americas
The Americas experienced a slight 0.5% decline, with a 4.2% drop in visitors from the United States. In contrast, Canada showed a significant growth of 26.4%. The region contributed 11.3% of the total arrivals.
Middle East Surges
The Middle East recorded the highest growth among all regions, with a remarkable 116.9% increase. The region now contributes 1.3% of total tourist arrivals.
Tourist arrivals from other regions grew by 10.5%, contributing 10.9% to the total share.
Historical Context
As of November, Nepal has welcomed over 1.05 million tourists this year, reflecting strong post-pandemic recovery. In comparison, the country surpassed the 1 million mark in 2023 for the first time in four years.
Nepal’s pre-pandemic performance remains a benchmark, with 1.17 million arrivals in 2018 and 1.19 million in 2019.
