Nepal welcomed a significant number of foreign tourists in the first eight months of 2024, marking a positive sign for the country’s tourism recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 720,334 tourists visited Nepal, placing it as the second-highest arrival rate since 2019. While this number indicates a gradual rebound, it fell short of the expectations set by authorities.
According to data published by Nepal Rastra Bank, the tourism sector experienced a notable increase in revenue despite the slight decline in visitor numbers. During the 2023-24 fiscal year, Nepal’s tourism earnings surged to 82.32 billion Nepali rupees (equivalent to 614 million U.S. dollars), a significant jump from the 62.2 billion rupees (464 million dollars) generated in the previous year. This growth underscores the resilience of the tourism sector and its vital role in Nepal’s economy as a major source of foreign exchange and employment.
However, challenges persist. The decline in foreign arrivals, particularly in July and August, was attributed to a series of unfortunate incidents, including plane crashes and frequent road accidents. These incidents negatively impacted travel confidence among international tourists. To address these concerns, tourism stakeholders are focused on enhancing safety measures, improving infrastructure, and diversifying Nepal’s travel offerings.
Moving forward, Nepal aims to attract more visitors by promoting eco-friendly tourism and cultural heritage experiences. These initiatives are expected to further bolster the country’s tourism recovery in the coming years.
