Let's start with the good news today!

The worst-hit industry with COVID, the tourism industry in Nepal is witnessing positive growth this year and looks on its way to revival. Fingers crossed.  The statistics shared by the Ministry of Tourism and Department of immigration shows around 237,696 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the last 6 months, from January to June via Tribhuvan International Airport. The data doesn’t include Indian tourists who traveled from the land border. In comparison, the total number of tourist arrival in Nepal in 2021 was 150,962 last year, which includes 337 arrivals from the Land border. Comparing this year’s arrival with the same month last year, we can see more than a 150% increase in arrival.  If we take April of 2021, which was the highest arrival in 2021, and compare it with April 2022, we get an increase of 156.83% increase than the last year. If we compare it with June then it’s a ridiculous 3855.14% increase.

Now, we agree that comparing it with the year 2021 or 2020 when COVID was in full swing in Nepal is not fair. So, let’s compare it with 2019, which was the highest tourist arrival year to date in Nepal, and see where we stand right now.

We can see that we were around 79% behind in January but we can see the tourist arrivals are increasing and we are now around 30% from 2019. Keep in mind this was before COVID and was the highest tourist arrival to date. Also, the data from 2019 and 2021 includes all tourist arrivals whereas the 2022 data doesn’t include land arrivals. If we add that data then I am sure we are doing better than anticipated.

Here is the monthly data of foreign tourists arriving in Nepal in 2019, 2021, and 6 months of 2020 compared.

The number of foreign tourists visiting Nepal has significantly increased in the past six months as Covid-related travel restrictions are gradually being removed, and even in the off-season in Nepal, the flow of tourists hasn’t decreased as much. As usual, the highest numbers of tourist arrivals are from India, and the United States, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, and Australia follow as the top contributors to Nepal’s tourism industry.

Similarly, as the pandemic-induced restrictions led to the closure of public places, including gyms, those trying to stay fit found a place on trails around Kathmandu Valley and hiking became a new fad for not just fitness enthusiasts but also equally to those who wanted to spend time with friends and families outdoors.  In the last two years, popular hiking trails—Shivapuri National Park,  Kakani, Phulchowki, Nagarkot, Sundarijal, Champadevi, and Chisapani, among others—in and around the Valley have seen an increase in the footfall of hikers making their way into the wild. Shivapuri National Park covers an area of 118 square kilometers, and over the years it has become a major hiking destination for locals and tourists alike. According to data from the Shivapuri National Park, nearly 2,000 tourists visit the park during weekends.

Overall, we strongly believe that the Tourism Industry in Nepal is on its way to recovery. It might take a year or two, but we know we will be back stronger. Additionally, the domestic tourism bloomed during the COVID times hasn’t slowed down a bit and is adding up day by day to the Industry.