KATHMANDU: Nepal’s tourism industry continued its steady rebound in October 2025, recording 128,443 international visitor arrivals, a 3.3 percent increase from the same month last year and nearly 96 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

According to data from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), total arrivals from January to October 2025 reached 943,716, slightly higher than the same period in 2024, marking a 98 percent recovery compared to 2019 — the last full year before COVID-19 devastated global travel.

India remained Nepal’s largest tourist source, contributing 17,298 visitors (13.5 percent of the total), followed by the United States (13,286), United Kingdom (8,718), China (6,755) and Germany (6,366). Collectively, these five countries accounted for over 40 percent of all international arrivals in October.

Europe continued to be Nepal’s most significant regional market, contributing 31.6 percent of all arrivals, or 40,600 visitors. South Asia followed closely with 29,060 arrivals (22.6 percent), while other Asian countries accounted for 18 percent. The Americas (12.8 percent), Oceania (5.3 percent), Middle East (2.8 percent), and Africa (0.3 percent) made up smaller shares of total visitors.

The autumn climbing season provided a major boost, with 175 expedition teams comprising 1,450 climbers from 83 countries securing climbing permits. The government collected NRs. 255.16 million in royalties from these expeditions, reflecting the continued global allure of Nepal’s Himalayan peaks.

Tourism’s broader economic contribution also showed improvement. In Bhadra 2082 (August–September 2025), foreign currency earnings reached NRs. 6.2 billion, while foreign direct investment commitments in tourism for Ashoj 2082 (September–October 2025) totaled NRs. 1.46 billion across 103 projects, underscoring renewed investor confidence in Nepal’s hospitality and adventure sectors.