Nepal tourist arrivals July 2025: 71,775 visitors, China surges 61%
Synopsis
Nepal's July tourism numbers tell two stories at once: a modest 2.3% overall rise that masks a striking 61% surge in Chinese arrivals — now above pre-Covid levels for the first time. Meanwhile, Indian footfall, which had spiked in May-June, pulled back, and SAARC arrivals as a whole fell nearly 12% year-on-year. The real headline is Nepal's quiet pivot toward a more diversified Asian visitor base.
Key Takeaways
Nepal received 71,775 foreign tourists in July 2025 , a 2.3 per cent year-on-year increase, per the Nepal Tourism Board .
Indian tourists led all source markets with 23,490 arrivals ( 32.73% of total), though numbers dipped after a May-June surge.
Chinese arrivals jumped 61.09 per cent to 11,099 , surpassing the pre-Covid July 2019 level of 10,215 by 8.65 per cent .
SAARC countries collectively sent 29,755 visitors, but this was 11.93 per cent lower than July 2024 .
Non-South Asian Asian markets grew 33.05 per cent year-on-year to 17,424 visitors, led by South Korea, Malaysia, and Japan.
Global headwinds — US-Iran tensions , flight disruptions, and higher fuel-driven airfares — contributed to the modest overall growth pace.
Nepal welcomed 71,775 foreign tourists in July 2025, registering a 2.3 per cent year-on-year increase from 70,193 arrivals recorded in July 2024, according to data released by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on Monday. The modest growth comes despite headwinds from the US-Iran conflict, flight disruptions, and elevated airfares driven by rising fuel costs.
Overall Arrivals and Growth Trend
Barring a dip in March and April, Nepal has posted year-on-year growth in foreign tourist arrivals every month through July this year, the NTB data shows. The 2.3 per cent July uptick, while modest, sustains a broader recovery trajectory for the Himalayan nation's tourism sector.
Global factors weighed on the pace of growth. Geopolitical tensions stemming from the US-Iran conflict, disruptions to international flight operations, and higher airfares — a direct consequence of increased fuel prices — collectively dampened travel demand, according to the NTB.
Indian Tourists Lead, Chinese Arrivals Surge Past Pre-Covid Levels
Indian tourists remained Nepal's single largest source of visitors in July, with 23,490 arrivals accounting for 32.73 per cent of total footfall. However, the number marked a pullback after a sharp surge recorded in May and June, signalling possible seasonal moderation.
The standout story of the month was the 61.09 per cent jump in Chinese tourist arrivals. Nepal received 11,099 visitors from China in July, up from 6,890 in July 2024. Notably, this figure also eclipsed the pre-Covid benchmark of 10,215 Chinese visitors recorded in July 2019, sitting 8.65 per cent above that level — a milestone that signals a meaningful recovery in the bilateral travel corridor.
Source Market Breakdown: SAARC, Americas, Europe
South Asia, led by India, remained Nepal's largest regional source market. A total of 29,755 visitors from SAARC countries arrived in July, comprising 41.46 per cent of all international arrivals. Yet this was 11.93 per cent lower than the 33,787 SAARC visitors recorded in July 2024, reflecting the softening in Indian numbers.
Among other SAARC nations, Bangladesh sent 4,179 visitors, Sri Lanka contributed 581, Bhutan added 991, Pakistan accounted for 475, and the Maldives sent 39 tourists.
The United States ranked third overall with 7,754 arrivals, followed by the United Kingdom at 3,773 and Australia at 2,428. Europe collectively contributed 9,279 visitors (12.93 per cent of total), while the Americas sent 8,824 and Oceania accounted for 2,607.
Asian Markets Beyond South Asia Show Strong Momentum
Excluding South Asia, other Asian countries contributed 17,424 tourists in July — 24.28 per cent of total arrivals and a 33.05 per cent increase from 13,052 visitors in July 2024. After China, the leading Asian source markets were South Korea (1,394), Malaysia (1,380), Japan (1,111), Vietnam (574), Singapore and Myanmar (437 each), and Thailand (428).
What to Watch
With Chinese arrivals crossing pre-Covid thresholds and non-South Asian Asian markets accelerating, Nepal's tourism diversification appears to be gaining traction. Whether the moderation in Indian arrivals proves temporary or reflects a structural seasonal shift will be a key indicator to track in the months ahead.
Point of View
But it also signals Nepal's growing dependence on a source market that can be switched off by geopolitical or regulatory decisions in Beijing overnight. The simultaneous fall in SAARC arrivals — down nearly 12 per cent despite India's dominance — is a warning sign that regional goodwill does not automatically translate into sustained footfall. Nepal's tourism planners would do well to lock in the Asian diversification gains before the next global disruption resets the board.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tourists visited Nepal in July 2025?
Nepal received 71,775 foreign tourists in July 2025, a 2.3 per cent increase from 70,193 arrivals in July 2024, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.
Which country sent the most tourists to Nepal in July 2025?
India topped the list with 23,490 arrivals, representing 32.73 per cent of total international visitors. However, Indian numbers fell compared to the sharp surge seen in May and June 2025.
How significant was the rise in Chinese tourist arrivals in Nepal?
Chinese arrivals surged 61.09 per cent year-on-year to 11,099 in July 2025, also surpassing the pre-Covid benchmark of 10,215 Chinese visitors recorded in July 2019 — the first time the monthly figure has crossed that threshold since the pandemic.
Why did Nepal's tourist growth remain modest despite positive trends?
The Nepal Tourism Board cited the US-Iran conflict, disruptions to international flight operations, and higher airfares driven by increased fuel prices as factors that dampened overall travel demand and limited growth to 2.3 per cent.
How did SAARC countries perform as a source market for Nepal in July 2025?
SAARC nations collectively sent 29,755 visitors, accounting for 41.46 per cent of total arrivals, but this was 11.93 per cent lower than the 33,787 SAARC visitors recorded in July 2024, largely due to the moderation in Indian tourist numbers.
