Nepal Tourism Surges Over Twelve Percent in September as Asian Markets Drive a Powerful Rise in Foreign Arrivals

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Nepal Tourism Surges 12.1% in September as Asian Markets Drive Strong Growth in Foreign Arrivals Now Nepal recorded a notable increase in international tourist arrivals in September 2026, supported by strong growth from South Asia and wider Asian markets. A total of 88,248 foreign visitors entered the country during the month, according to figures released by the Nepal Tourism Board using Department of Immigration data.

The September total was 12.1 per cent higher than the 78,711 international arrivals recorded during the same month in 2025. However, the national increase was not evenly distributed across all source markets. Asian countries delivered some of the strongest gains, while several important long-haul markets in Europe, the Americas and Oceania moved lower.

South Asia Maintains the Largest Share of Nepal’s Tourism Market

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation countries remained Nepal’s biggest regional source of international visitors during September.

A total of 30,085 tourists arrived from SAARC markets, representing 34.09 per cent of all foreign arrivals. This was 23.9 per cent higher than the comparable month a year earlier.

India continued to be Nepal’s single largest individual source market. The country generated 17,425 visitors, equivalent to 19.75 per cent of total international arrivals in September. Indian tourist numbers were 12 per cent higher year on year.

Sri Lanka also delivered strong growth, contributing 7,108 visitors. This represented an increase of 54 per cent from September 2025.

Bangladesh generated 3,964 tourists, up 31.5 per cent, while Bhutan accounted for 1,111 arrivals. Pakistan contributed another 429 visitors.

The figures demonstrate the continued importance of nearby regional markets to Nepal’s tourism performance, particularly at a time when several long-haul destinations are showing weaker demand.

China Drives Exceptional Expansion Across Wider Asia

Tourist arrivals from Asian countries outside the SAARC group rose even more sharply.

Nepal received 19,888 visitors from these markets in September, representing 22.54 per cent of the monthly international total. Arrivals from the wider Asian region increased by around 58 per cent compared with the previous year.

China emerged as the most important driver of that growth.

A total of 11,212 Chinese tourists travelled to Nepal during September 2026, compared with 5,237 in the same month of 2025. This represented a year-on-year increase of 114.1 per cent.

Japan also showed strong momentum, contributing 2,066 visitors, up 45.4 per cent.

Malaysia generated 1,877 arrivals, representing growth of 12.2 per cent, while South Korea accounted for 1,412 visitors, an increase of 4.3 per cent.

However, not every market in Asia expanded. Arrivals from Thailand and Vietnam declined by about 11 per cent compared with September 2025.

Despite these individual falls, the strength of China and Japan helped make Asia one of the central engines of Nepal’s tourism growth during the month.

European Tourism Demand Weakens

Europe remained a major source market for Nepal but produced weaker results in September.

A total of 15,148 European visitors entered the country, giving the region a 17.17 per cent share of all foreign arrivals. This was 8.7 per cent lower than in September 2025.

The United Kingdom remained Nepal’s leading European source market with 3,725 visitors. However, UK arrivals declined by 25.2 per cent year on year.

Germany contributed 1,974 visitors, while France accounted for 1,389 tourists and Spain generated 1,120.

Some European countries still recorded positive growth. Arrivals from Russia increased by 18.4 per cent, Italy rose by 20.4 per cent and the Czech Republic advanced by 15.7 per cent.

These increases were not large enough to reverse the overall decline across Europe.

US, Canada and Australia Record Lower Arrivals

The American market also weakened during September.

Nepal received 10,107 visitors from the Americas, representing a decline of 12.3 per cent compared with the same month in 2025.

The United States remained the dominant contributor, with 8,299 arrivals. However, US tourist numbers fell by 14.3 per cent year on year.

Canada generated 1,224 visitors, down 15.5 per cent.

Oceania recorded an even steeper decline. A total of 5,422 tourists arrived from the region, with Australia alone contributing 4,842. Overall arrivals from Oceania fell by around 29 per cent compared with September 2025.

The weaker performance of the US, Canada, Europe and Australia created a clear contrast with Nepal’s expanding Asian visitor base.

Middle East and Africa Add Positive Momentum

Tourist arrivals from the Middle East increased by 11.9 per cent to 2,606.

Israel accounted for the majority of these visitors, contributing 1,957 arrivals during September.

Africa remained a relatively small source market but posted encouraging growth. Nepal received 424 tourists from African countries, representing an increase of 23.3 per cent.

A further 4,568 visitors were recorded under other or unclassified markets.

Nepal’s September Growth Shows a Clear Shift Towards Asia

Nepal’s September 2026 tourism data reveals a changing structure within the country’s international visitor market.

Overall arrivals rose strongly, but much of that expansion came from South Asia and wider Asian markets. India remained Nepal’s largest source country, while China delivered the most dramatic year-on-year growth.

Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Japan also strengthened their contribution.

At the same time, traditional long-haul markets such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Australia recorded declines.

The result is a tourism market that is still growing overall, but one that is becoming increasingly dependent on regional and Asian demand to offset weakness from several Western source countries.