Foreign tourist arrivals in Nepal increased by 12.1 percent year-on-year in September 2026, reaching a total of 88,248 visitors compared to 78,711 in the same month last year.
Regional Tourist Arrivals Breakdown
Tourists from South Asia represented the largest group, accounting for approximately 34.9 percent of total arrivals with 30,085 visitors entering Nepal during September 2026. Meanwhile, arrivals from China surged by over 58 percent to 11,212 tourists. European arrivals decreased by 8.7 percent to 15,148, and visitors from Oceania dropped 25.9 percent, totaling 5,422 tourists. The United States also recorded a decline in arrivals, with 10,107 visitors compared to 11,523 the previous year.
Conversely, tourist numbers from the Middle East increased 11.9 percent to 2,606, and arrivals from African countries rose 23.3 percent to 424.
Country-Specific Tourist Data
Within South Asia, India led with 17,425 tourists visiting Nepal in September 2026. Sri Lanka supplied 7,108 visitors, Bangladesh accounted for 3,964, Bhutan sent 1,111 tourists, and Pakistan contributed 429 visitors. European tourists originated from the United Kingdom (3,725), Germany (1,974), France (1,389), Spain (1,120), and Italy (910). The Oceania region’s visitors primarily came from Australia (4,842) and New Zealand (580).
Chinese Tourist Growth and Declines in Other Regions
The sharp increase in Chinese arrivals significantly influenced Nepal’s overall month-on-month gain in foreign visitors. In contrast,
decreases were noted in tourists from Europe, Oceania, and the United States as compared to the same period in 2025.
These statistics were published by the Nepal Tourism Board on October 1, 2026.
