Over 600 thousands foreign tourists visit Nepal in eight months
In the past eight months, Nepal has experienced an astonishing surge in international tourist arrivals, surpassing all expectations. According to the latest figures released by the Nepal Tourism Board, an impressive total of 601,360 tourists from various countries have graced our beautiful nation with their presence from January to August this year. This remarkable achievement underscores Nepal's growing appeal as a travel destination and reflects the increasing confidence of tourists in our region.
The month of August alone saw a notable increase, with 67,153 tourists choosing Nepal as their destination. This represents a significant upswing compared to the same period last year when the count stood at 41,304. For perspective, in 2019, the figure reached 73,814. It is important to note that this resurgence in the tourism sector comes after the challenges posed by the global Covid-19 pandemic. Nepal's tourism industry, with the concerted effort of the private sector, is reviving well, and tourist arrivals are steadily increasing. Executive Chairman and Tourism Entrepreneur Basant Mishra highlighted the significant role of the private sector in this revival, emphasizing that tourism has the potential to become a pillar of the country's economy if the private sector and the government collaborate effectively.
Maniraj Lamichhane, the Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, has expressed his optimism about this positive trend and stated that they are hopeful that the year will culminate with the arrival of a million tourists.
August proved to be a particularly enticing month for Nepal, attracting a diverse group of tourists from various corners of the globe. With the Chinese government allowing its citizens to travel, Chinese tourists have started to increase in Nepal, with 5,027 visitors in August, ranking second in arrivals. The majority of visitors during this month hailed from India, with an impressive total of 26,665 travelers crossing the border into Nepal while the United States and Sri Lanka contributed 4,629 and 3,558 tourists, respectively. The list goes on, with 3,190 arrivals from Bangladesh, 2,711 from the United Kingdom, 1,588 from Spain, 1,520 from Japan, 1,416 from Italy, and 1,347 from Australia.
These statistics reflect Nepal's growing appeal as a travel destination, with its breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality serving as a magnet for travelers worldwide. The government and stakeholders in the tourism industry are hopeful that this surge in arrivals will continue, further boosting our country's economy and solidifying its reputation as a top-tier travel destination in the years to come.
As Nepal continues to shine on the global tourism stage, we look forward to welcoming even more visitors and sharing the beauty and culture of our nation with the world.