Nepal's Tourism Sector Sees Strong Start in January 2026 with Significant International Arrivals

Kathmandu. The first month of 2026 appears promising for Nepal's tourism sector. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 92,573 international tourists entered Nepal in January, marking a 15.7 percent increase compared to the same month in 2025.

This growth is also 14 percent higher than the pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels of 2019, the Board stated. Examining tourist arrival statistics, neighboring India remains in the top position. A total of 26,624 Indian tourists, accounting for 28.8 percent of total arrivals, visited Nepal this month.

Following India, 9,101 tourists arrived from China, 8,406 from the United States, 5,814 from Bangladesh, and 4,957 from Australia. Regionally, South Asian (SAARC) countries account for a 39.3 percent share, while 26.1 percent of tourists arrived from other Asian nations.

Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nepal Tourism Board, stated that this data signals a strengthening confidence in Nepal in the international market. He added that destination promotion, expansion in air connectivity, and the growing attraction towards adventure and cultural tourism have contributed to the increase in arrivals.