Nepal Tourism Defies Off-Peak Monsoon Slump as Foreign Visitor Arrivals Surge 2.3% in July

Nepal welcomed 71,775 international visitors in July, registering a 2.3% year-on-year increase despite the traditional off-peak monsoon season, according to official data released by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Up from 70,193 arrivals in July of the previous year, the resilience in travel demand was primarily driven by robust regional traffic and a dramatic surge in Chinese tourists. India retained its position as Nepal’s top source market, generating 23,490 visitors to account for nearly 33% of overall entry numbers. Meanwhile, arrivals from China skyrocketed by 61% year-on-year to 11,099 tourists—surpassing pre-pandemic levels as direct flights and regional promotion campaigns continued to gain momentum. The United States rounded out the top three source nations with 7,754 visitors, followed by Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Regionally, South Asian SAARC countries comprised the largest overall bloc at 41.5% of total arrivals, while broader Asian markets recorded a impressive 33% expansion. Industry stakeholders attributed the unexpected growth during the rainy season to steady overland border travel from India, revived Chinese outbound travel, and growing interest in wellness and cultural tourism that remains unhindered by weather conditions.