Nepal Welcomes 88,248 Tourists in September, Up 12.1%
Nepal received 88,248 international tourists in September 2026, a 12.1% rise from a year earlier, led by strong growth from Asian markets, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.
Nepal's tourism sector is having a strong year. Fresh figures from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) show that the country welcomed 88,248 international visitors in September 2026, a 12.1% increase compared with the same month last year.
The rise came even after recent natural disasters in the region, and it has helped place Nepal among the fastest-improving tourism economies of 2026. Tourism also remains the country's leading source of foreign exchange. Here is a closer look at the numbers and what travelers can expect this season.
Asia Drives the Growth
The increase was led largely by visitors from neighboring Asian countries. India remained the top source market, sending 17,425 visitors in September.
China posted the sharpest jump, with arrivals up 114.1% from the previous year. Sri Lanka, Japan, and South Korea also recorded major increases.
Western Markets Cool Down
The picture looked different in the West. Arrivals from Europe fell by 8.7%, and visitors from the United Kingdom dropped by 25.2%. The Americas saw a 12.3% decline.
The contrast shows how much of Nepal's recent growth now depends on regional travelers rather than long-haul visitors from Europe and North America.
Peak Climbing Season Begins
Autumn is the main trekking and mountaineering season in Nepal. The Department of Tourism has granted climbing permits to 648 mountaineers from 69 countries, who plan to attempt 20 of the country's peaks this season.
Are the Major Destinations Open?
The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation has assured travelers that Nepal's main destinations are open and functioning after the earlier monsoon rains.
In Kathmandu Valley, seven UNESCO World Heritage sites sit within a radius of about seven kilometers, and international airports and hospitality services are operating. Pokhara is open for adventure activities such as paragliding, ultralight flights, and boat rides on Fewa Lake, with the Machhapuchhre peak reflected in the water.
Chitwan National Park is available for jungle safaris, where visitors can look for one-horned rhinoceroses and Bengal tigers. Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, remains accessible for pilgrims and spiritual travelers.
Digital and Travel Initiatives
The government has also introduced tools to make visits smoother. International travelers can now use the online Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) through the NTB portal to register their trekking routes.
Foreign tourists who pay electronically at designated hubs are eligible for a 10% VAT refund.
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