Tuesday, September 10, 2024 Nepal’s welcomed a total of 720,334 foreign tourists in the first eight months of this year, marking the second-highest arrival rate since 2019. However, the figures fell short of the expectations set by the authorities. The data, published by Nepal Rastra Bank, reflects a gradual recovery of tourism following the COVID-19 pandemic but highlights ongoing challenges in the sector.
In comparison, 739,323 foreign visitors arrived in Nepal during the same period in 2019, while only 601,360 tourists visited during the first eight months of 2023, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency. The decline in foreign arrivals, particularly in July and August, was attributed to a series of unfortunate incidents, including plane crashes and frequent road accidents, which dampened travel confidence among international tourists. Despite the drop in visitor numbers, Nepal’s tourism revenue saw a notable increase.
The country’s tourism earnings surged to 82.32 billion Nepali rupees (equivalent to 614 million U.S.
dollars) during the 2023-24 fiscal year, a significant rise from the 62.2 billion rupees (464 million dollars) generated in the previous year. This growth underscores the sector’s resilience and its crucial role in Nepal’s economy as a major source of foreign exchange and employment.
Moving forward, tourism stakeholders are focused on enhancing safety measures, improving infrastructure, and diversifying Nepal’s travel offerings. Efforts to promote eco-friendly tourism and cultural heritage experiences are expected to attract more visitors and boost the country’s tourism recovery in the coming years..
