Nepal welcomes 71,775 foreign tourists in July as Chinese arrivals surge

Kathmandu, August 4

Nepal welcomed 71,775 foreign tourists in July 2026, despite it being the middle of the monsoon season. According to statistics released by the Nepal Tourism Board, the figure is 2.3 per cent higher than in July 2025, when 70,193 foreign tourists visited the country.

The Board said India remained the largest source market, with 23,490 visitors, accounting for 32.73 per cent of total arrivals. Tourist arrivals from China recorded a significant increase. A total of 11,099 Chinese tourists visited Nepal in July, up 61.09 per cent from 6,890 in July last year. The number has also surpassed pre-pandemic levels. In July 2019, Nepal received 10,215 Chinese visitors, meaning arrivals from China are now 8.65 per cent higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United States ranked as the third-largest source market, with 7,754 visitors in July. Nepal also welcomed 4,179 tourists from Bangladesh, 3,773 from the United Kingdom, and 2,428 from Australia. By region, South Asia contributed the largest share of visitors. Nepal received 29,755 tourists from SAARC countries in July, accounting for 41.46 per cent of total arrivals. However, this represents an 11.93 per cent decline compared to 33,787 visitors from the region in July last year. Among other SAARC countries, Nepal received 991 visitors from Bhutan, 475 from Pakistan, 581 from Sri Lanka, and 39 from the Maldives.

Excluding South Asia, Nepal welcomed 17,424 visitors from other Asian countries in July, representing 24.28 per cent of total arrivals. This compares to 13,052 visitors during the same month last year, marking a 33.05 per cent increase. After China, the largest source markets within the rest of Asia were South Korea with 1,394 visitors, Malaysia with 1,380, Japan with 1,111, Vietnam with 574, Singapore and Myanmar with 437 each, and Thailand with 428 visitors.

Nepal also received 9,279 tourists from Europe, accounting for 12.93 per cent of total arrivals. European arrivals included 3,773 visitors from the United Kingdom, 723 from Germany, 681 from Spain, 644 from France, 514 from the Netherlands, 489 from Portugal, and 467 from Russia.

Meanwhile, 8,824 tourists arrived from the Americas, 2,607 from Oceania, 736 from the Middle East (Gulf countries), and 324 from African nations.

The post Nepal welcomes 71,775 foreign tourists in July as Chinese arrivals surge appeared first on OnlineKhabar English News.