Nepal Tourism Nears Pre-Pandemic Peak: FDI and Revenue Soar in October 2025
Nepal Tourism Recovery 2025
3rd November 2025, Kathmandu
Nepal’s tourism industry is showcasing remarkable resilience and strength.
Nepal Tourism Recovery 2025
New data confirms a strong Nepal Tourism Recovery 2025 is underway, with international arrivals in October reaching 128,443 visitors.
This figure represents a 3.3% increase from the same period last year. Crucially, it signifies a nearly 96% recovery compared to the peak pre-pandemic levels of October 2019.
This massive influx of visitors during the peak autumn season underscores the country’s enduring global appeal for adventure, culture, and nature.
Year-to-Date Performance and Global Source Markets
The positive momentum is not limited to the peak month. From January to October 2025, total international arrivals reached an impressive 943,716.
This cumulative figure surpasses the total arrivals for the same ten-month period in 2024 and stands at approximately 98% of the 2019 totals. The industry is actively closing the gap with pre-COVID performance, signaling a return to full health.
A breakdown of source markets reveals consistent interest from key global regions:
- India remained the top source country, leading the pack with 17,298 arrivals in October.
- The United States (US) ranked second, followed by the United Kingdom (UK), China, and Germany.
- Collectively, these top five nations accounted for over 40% of all international visitors for the month.
Regionally, Europe contributed the largest share of arrivals, followed by South Asia and other Asian countries, demonstrating a healthy diversity in Nepal’s global tourism base.
The Economic Boost from Adventure Tourism
The renowned autumn climbing season has provided a significant economic boost. The Himalayas continue to draw global adventurers.
This year, 175 expedition teams, comprising 1,450 climbers from 83 countries, secured climbing permits. The government actively capitalized on this interest, generating a substantial NRs. 255.16 million in royalties from these climbing permits alone.
This revenue stream highlights the high-value segment of adventure tourism. It supports local economies, trekking guides, and mountaineering service providers across the country.
The successful season reinforces Nepal’s position as the world’s premier destination for high-altitude mountaineering.
Investor Confidence Returns to the Sector
Beyond visitor numbers and climbing royalties, key economic indicators show improved health and strong investor confidence. Foreign currency earnings from tourism reached a robust NRs. 6.2 billion during the preceding month of Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September 2025). This injection of foreign exchange is vital for the national economy.
Furthermore, foreign investment commitments in the tourism sector demonstrated renewed optimism. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) commitments totaled NRs. 1.46 billion across 103 tourism-related projects during the review period of Ashoj (mid-September to mid-October 2025).
These projects are actively focused on new hotels, resorts, and adventure tourism infrastructure. This substantial capital commitment underscores the belief that the Nepal Tourism Recovery 2025 is sustainable and profitable for the long term.
For more: Nepal Tourism Recovery 2025
