Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Nepal Tourist Arrivals Rise Despite Deadly August Floods
More foreign tourists visited Nepal in September than in September last year.
Nepal received 88,248 visitors, which was a 12.1% increase.
This happened after deadly floods damaged areas near two river corridors.
The floods killed at least 1,453 people, and many others were still missing.
Some travelers canceled their hotel bookings because they thought the whole country was unsafe.
Nepal’s tourism authorities and businesses started the #NepalCalling campaign to explain that most tourist areas remained safe.
Visitors from India made up the largest group.
Chinese visitors increased especially quickly, while fewer people came from Europe, Oceania and the Americas.
Nepal recorded 88,248 foreign tourist arrivals in September, up 12.1% from 78,711 a year earlier.
Floods triggered by an avalanche near the Nepal-China border killed at least 1,453 people and left 5,285 missing.
India was Nepal’s largest source market with 17,425 visitors, while Chinese arrivals rose 114.1% to 11,212.
The United States, Sri Lanka and Australia were the next-largest individual markets.
European, Oceania and American arrivals declined, while the #NepalCalling campaign sought to reduce flood-related cancellations.
- Who
- Foreign tourists, the Nepal Tourism Board, government agencies and private-sector tourism businesses.
- What
- Foreign tourist arrivals in Nepal increased 12.1% in September to 88,248.
- When
- September, compared with September of the previous year; the floods occurred on August 26.
- Where
- Nepal, particularly the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors affected by flooding.
- Why
- Arrivals rose despite flood-related concerns, while tourism authorities and businesses worked to reassure visitors that most of Nepal remained safe.
Tourism Recovery
Disaster Concerns
Whether Nepal remained suitable for visitors
Tourism Recovery
The Nepal Tourism Board and tourism businesses said much of Nepal remained safe, apart from the flood-damaged river corridors.
Disaster Concerns
Images of destroyed roads, collapsed bridges, stranded people and recovered bodies led some prospective visitors to cancel hotel bookings and believe the disaster had affected the entire country.
What the arrival figures indicate
Tourism Recovery
The 12.1% year-on-year increase suggests Nepal continued attracting international visitors despite the floods, especially from India and China.
Disaster Concerns
The overall increase masked declines from Europe, Oceania and the Americas, indicating that some major visitor regions remained affected by flood-related concerns.
- September arrivals
- 88,248 foreign tourists
- Year-on-year change
- 12.1% increase from 78,711 in September the previous year
- Largest source market
- India, with 17,425 visitors
- Chinese arrivals
- 11,212 visitors, up 114.1% year-on-year
- Peak tourism season
- September-November, accounting for nearly 40% of annual arrivals
- Flood toll
- At least 1,453 people killed and 5,285 missing, including 636 foreigners
- Tourism response
- The #NepalCalling campaign was launched to counter flood-related cancellations
