Record tourist arrivals underline India’s growing importance to Nepal’s tourism economy…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Nepal recorded its highest-ever monthly arrival of Indian tourists by air in June, with visitors from India accounting for nearly half of all foreign arrivals and helping sustain the country’s tourism sector amid disruptions caused by the recent US-Iran conflict.
According to data released by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on Thursday, the Himalayan nation welcomed 91,363 foreign tourists in June 2026, including a record 41,809 visitors from India, representing nearly 46 per cent of total international arrivals during the month.
The June figure surpassed the previous record of 40,782 Indian arrivals registered in May, making it the highest monthly number of Indian tourists ever recorded in Nepal.
India has long remained Nepal’s largest tourism source market, but the share of Indian visitors has grown steadily in recent years as outbound travel from India continues to expand rapidly.
Tourism stakeholders attributed the surge to a combination of rising international airfares, favourable seasonal conditions and Nepal’s affordability as a travel destination.
“Indian visitors are travelling in larger numbers by bus. Since the US-Iran war, airfares on long-haul routes have become more expensive due to rising fuel prices, and Indian travellers have been choosing Nepal as a relatively cheaper destination,” said Kiran Neuane, sales and marketing officer at a travel agency catering to Indian tourists.
He added that school and college vacations in India, coupled with soaring summer temperatures, had also encouraged many travellers to head to Nepal to escape the heat.
South Asia remained Nepal’s largest regional tourism market in June, contributing 48,254 visitors, or 52.8 per cent of total foreign arrivals.
The United States emerged as Nepal’s second-largest source market with 11,836 visitors, followed by China (9,995), Bangladesh (4,322) and Australia (2,896).
Santosh Bikram Thapa, Senior Officer at the NTB, said the steady rise in tourist arrivals reflected improved international air connectivity, sustained promotional campaigns and Nepal’s growing reputation as a safe and attractive destination.
He said the tourism board would further intensify marketing efforts in key source markets, including India, China, the United States and Europe, ahead of the upcoming tourism season.
