Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Nepal Tourism Rebounds as Indian Arrivals Rise in September
Nepal welcomed more tourists in September than it did in August.
A total of 88,248 international visitors arrived in the country.
Visitors from India formed the largest group, with 17,425 people.
This was 12% more than the number of Indian visitors in September last year.
Nepal also received more than 865,000 visitors during the first nine months of 2026.
This happened despite floods, landslides and other disasters.
Nepal and tourism groups in India also agreed to build a new travel route focused on Buddhist and cultural places.
The route would connect Lumbini with India’s northeastern states and could encourage visitors to stay longer.
Nepal recorded 88,248 international visitors in September, up from 85,444 in August.
Indian tourists were the largest foreign visitor group, with 17,425 arrivals—a 12% year-on-year increase.
Nepal received 865,920 international visitors in the first nine months of 2026, 6% more than the same period last year.
China, the United States, Sri Lanka and Australia were the next-largest source markets in September.
Nepal and northeastern India agreed to develop a Buddhist and cultural tourism circuit centered on Lumbini.
- Who
- Nepal, Indian tourists, and tourism organizations from Nepal and northeastern India.
- What
- Nepal reported rising international tourist arrivals and agreed to develop a Buddhist and cultural tourism circuit.
- When
- September 2026, with the broader agreement reached during the same reporting period.
- Where
- Nepal, particularly Lumbini, in cooperation with India’s eight northeastern states.
- Why
- Tourism stakeholders want to expand regional travel networks, attract more pilgrims and travelers, and encourage longer stays.
- September international arrivals
- 88,248 visitors
- Indian arrivals
- 17,425, up 12% from September last year
- January–September 2026 arrivals
- 865,920 international visitors
- Year-on-year growth
- 6% compared with the first nine months of last year
- Second-largest source market
- China, with 11,212 visitors
- Proposed tourism circuit
- A Buddhist and cultural route connecting Lumbini with India’s eight northeastern states
- Recent disasters
- A rock-ice avalanche, glacier collapse, floods and landslides raised concerns about Nepal’s tourism season