Tourism Sector of Nepal Soaring after the Big Turmoil
Nepal’s vital tourism sector is experiencing a monumental resurgence, delivering stellar performance figures for the crucial autumn season that brings the country closer than ever to a complete recovery from the global pandemic. The month of October 2025 saw a substantial influx of 128,443 international visitors (IVAs) , firmly solidifying the country’s appeal during its most popular trekking and climbing period. This impressive figure marks a strong 3.3% growth compared to the arrivals recorded in October 2024. More critically, the monthly arrival count has achieved a stunning 95.8% recovery when measured against the total visitors from the pre-pandemic levels of October 2019. This indicates that the Himalayan nation is successfully navigating the final stretch toward full normalization of its travel industry.
The Peak Season Triumph: Europe Leads Regional Influx
The data on visitor distribution for October 2025 reveals the continued importance of the peak trekking window, with European markets driving the highest regional share of tourists. The European continent collectively emerged as the single largest regional contributor to tourism in October, accounting for 31.6% of total arrivals with 40,600 visitors. This demonstrates the robust return of long-haul travelers who plan their expeditions around the clear weather conditions of autumn. South Asia (SAARC), historically a major market, followed as the second-largest regional source, contributing 22.6% of visitors, which amounted to 29,060 arrivals.
On a country-by-country basis for October, India maintained its dominant position as the top source market, welcoming 17,298 tourists and registering a steady 6.0% growth compared to the previous year. The United States of America (U.S.A.) and the United Kingdom (U.K.) secured the second and third spots, respectively, accounting for 13,286 and 8,718 visitors. These key markets continue to form the backbone of Nepal’s international tourism profile.
Explosive Market Growth Signals Expanding Global Reach
While traditional markets showed stability, several emerging and recovering markets registered extraordinary year-on-year growth, indicating the success of promotional efforts to diversify Nepal’s global reach. The most dramatic increase came from Myanmar, which recorded an astonishing 335.2% year-on-year surge in October arrivals. This was closely followed by a remarkable expansion in the South Asian region, where Sri Lanka arrivals swelled by 77.1% compared to October 2024.
In Europe, the market recovery was palpable: Russia reported a significant 37.1% jump in visitors, while Poland saw a 17.4% rise. The U.K. market showcased its complete return to form with an astounding 1241.2% increase in arrivals when benchmarked against its low October 2019 pre-pandemic total. Additionally, the Middle East region also showed exceptional strength, with Israel generating 26.8% growth year-on-year.
Year-to-Date Performance: On the Brink of Total Recovery
The momentum generated in the peak season contributed to a nearly complete recovery for the cumulative year. From January to October 2025, Nepal received a total of 943,716 International Visitor Arrivals. This impressive year-to-date figure represents an outstanding 97.7% recovery when measured against the full Jan-Oct period of 2019. Overall, the first ten months of 2025 achieved a 0.3% growth over the corresponding period in 2024.
For the year-to-date total, South Asia (SAARC) commands the largest share, accounting for 35.8% of all arrivals, or 337,511 visitors. Key source markets for the ten-month period were once again India (243,350 visitors) , U.S.A. (93,985 tourists) , and China (78,929 arrivals). Significant cumulative growth was noted in the Middle East region, which saw its arrivals jump by 25.6% over the previous year, driven by a dramatic 45.1% rise in tourists from Israel.
Strong Economic Indicators and Mountaineering Records
The robust tourist arrivals are translating directly into substantial foreign exchange earnings, bolstering the national economy. Foreign exchange earnings from tourism in the single month of Bhadra (Mid-August to Mid-September 2025) reached NPR 6,207.15 million, equivalent to USD 44.13 million. This amount represents a substantial 7.34% increase over the earnings generated in the same month of the previous fiscal year.
Even more encouraging is the cumulative financial performance for the first two months of the current fiscal year (Shrawan-Bhadra / Mid-July to Mid-September 2025). Total foreign exchange earnings for this initial period hit NPR 11,584.30 million (USD 82.74 million). This figure translates to a solid 9.76% growth compared to the corresponding two-month period of the previous fiscal year, showcasing the sector’s strengthening economic impact.
Furthermore, the allure of the high-altitude challenges remains a critical component of Nepal’s appeal. Data from the Autumn 2025 mountaineering season highlights the popularity of specific peaks, with Ama Dablam (6,814m) leading the charge with 436 mountaineers receiving permits. The world-famous Manasalu (8,163m) was the second most popular destination for expeditions, hosting 374 expedition members. This demonstrates the continued, powerful drawing capability of Nepal as the ultimate global destination for adventure and “Lifetime Experiences!”.
