Over 1.14 million foreign tourists visited Nepal in 2024

Kathmandu / Dec. 31: More than 1.14 million foreign tourists visited Nepal in 2024, marking a significant milestone for the country’s tourism sector.

According to data released by the Nepal Tourism Board this morning, a total of 1,147,024 tourists entered Nepal over the year.This is the highest number of tourist arrivals recorded in Nepal since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Board Director Marin Raj Lamichhane noted that, on average, approximately 3,000 tourists arrived in Nepal daily. Tourist arrivals increased by over 14 percent in 2024 compared to 2023.

In comparison, Nepal welcomed 1.197 million foreign visitors in 2019, before the pandemic brought international travel to a halt in early 2020.The revival of Nepal’s tourism industry is evident, with United Nations World Tourism Organisation data indicating a 96 percent recovery in post-COVID tourism over the past six months.

The surge in tourist numbers has been attributed to major events such as the Nepal Premier League, the Global Buddhist Summit, the International Balloon Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, and other cultural celebrations.