Over 120,000 tourists arrive in Nepal in March 2026
Kathmandu – More than 120,000 foreign tourists visited Nepal in March 2026, according to data released by the Nepal Tourism Board.
A total of 120,516 international tourists entered the country during the month. The figures show a notable increase in arrivals from South Asian and other Asian countries.
According to the data, 42,668 tourists came from South Asian (SAARC) nations, accounting for around 35.4% of total arrivals. Among them, India contributed the highest number with 25,728 visitors, followed by Sri Lanka with 10,759 and Bangladesh with 4,676 tourists. The strong inflow from India highlights the continued trend of religious, cultural, and short-duration travel between the two countries.
Similarly, arrivals from other Asian countries have remained encouraging. China recorded 11,220 tourists, followed by Myanmar with 6,020 and Thailand with 3,897 visitors. Countries such as Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea also saw significant arrivals. In total, the ‘Other Asia’ region contributed 33,436 tourists, representing about 27.7% of total arrivals.
While tourist arrivals from Europe and the United States remained relatively stable, there was no significant growth. The board attributed this to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has affected international travel and reduced tourist inflow from Western markets. However, tourists from Europe and the U.S. are still considered high-value visitors due to their higher spending.
For comparison, Nepal had welcomed 121,687 tourists in March 2025, while before the COVID-19 pandemic, arrivals in the same month stood at 127,351. In February 2026, Nepal recorded 105,441 tourist arrivals.
March and April are typically considered peak tourist seasons in Nepal due to favorable weather and trekking opportunities. However, this year’s peak season has been affected by disruptions in international flights and travel advisories issued amid escalating tensions in West Asia. Normally, this period sees higher numbers of visitors for mountaineering, trekking, adventure tourism, and cultural exploration.
CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, Deepak Raj Joshi, said that despite global conflicts and flight disruptions, the arrival figures are not discouraging.
“Although arrivals from Europe and the U.S. have slightly declined, the increase in tourists from neighboring countries like India is a positive sign,” he said. “We are prioritizing promotional programs targeting nearby markets, while also strengthening our presence in high-value markets like Europe and the U.S. through international tourism marts.”
Joshi added that while the current figures are not alarming, they do not allow for complacency either. He warned that the uncertain situation in West Asia could impact the global tourism market in the coming days. He noted that the board is working on balanced and sustainable strategies, including expanding into alternative markets.
