Tourism Statistics Nepal 2024: A Landmark Year of Growth and Opportunity

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Nepal's tourism industry experienced a remarkable resurgence in 2024, marking a strong rebound from the global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"Nepal’s tourism resurgence in 2024 is not just a return to normalcy—it’s a bold step forward, driven by adventure, spirituality, and cultural discovery."

The latest statistics released by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation highlight a thriving sector driven by renewed traveller confidence, strategic promotional efforts, and the timeless allure of Nepal’s natural and cultural landscapes.



Tourist Arrivals: A Promising Uptick

In 2024, Nepal recorded 1,147,548 international tourist arrivals, marking a 13.07% increase from 2023. Of these, 89.23% (1,023,937) entered the country by air, while 10.77% (123,611) arrived over land. This surge reflects improved air connectivity, the gradual easing of travel restrictions, and effective tourism promotion campaigns.


"With over 1.1 million tourist arrivals and a 13% growth rate, Nepal has reasserted its place on the global map as a destination of unmatched diversity and resilience."

The average length of stay also saw a slight increase, rising to 13.3 days from 13.2 the previous year.

Top Tourist Source Countries

India retained its position as the top source of international visitors, contributing 27.69% of the total tourist influx. The United States followed, making up 9.69% of arrivals. China remained significant with 8.88%, while the United Kingdom accounted for 4.77%, and Bangladesh emerged in the top five with 4.59%, replacing Australia from the previous year.

Demographics and Travel Purpose

In terms of gender distribution:

- Male tourists: 633,219 (55.2%)

- Female tourists: 513,892 (44.8%)

- Other: 437

Age-wise, the highest number of tourists were between 31 and 45 years (352,308), followed by 46–60 years (309,434). A notable growth was also seen in the 60+ category, with a 19.5% increase compared to 2023.


Tourist purposes revealed diversification in travel intent:

- Holiday/Pleasure: 693,119 (up 9.3%)

- Pilgrimage: 166,394 (up 25.2%)

- Trekking & Mountaineering: 175,575 (up 13.8%)

- Other purposes: 112,460 (up 20.4%)


Trekking and Mountaineering: Adventure on the Rise

Adventure tourism saw significant growth in 2024:

- Manaslu region welcomed 12,810 trekkers (a 314% rise)

- Mustang recorded 5,614 visitors (369% increase)

- Humla saw 1,045 trekkers (487% growth)

- Upper Dolpa and Kanchenjunga witnessed over 350% growth


Although the number of expedition members slightly declined to 9,191 (from 9,368), the total number of expedition teams increased by 5.4% to 2,375. However, government royalty revenue from expeditions fell by 7.4% to Rs. 925.8 million.


Pilgrimage Tourism Highlights

Spiritual tourism remained strong:

- Pashupatinath received 136,139 visitors (excluding Indian nationals), a 15% increase

- Lumbini drew 111,403 third-country nationals, growing by 31%

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are emerging as key pilgrimage source markets, given their deep-rooted cultural ties with Nepal’s sacred sites.

Economic Impact and Earnings


The tourism industry earned US$ 623.4 million in revenue in 2024, an increase of 13.7% from 2023. However, the average spending per tourist per day slightly dropped from US$ 41 to US$ 40.8.


Growth in tourism enterprises was also evident:

- Star hotels increased from 182 to 214

- Non-star hotels rose to 1,364

- Total beds available reached 62,642

- Trekking agencies grew to 3,252

- Tourist guides and trekking guides increased to 5,269 and 27,128, respectively


Flight Connectivity and Air Travel

International air movement saw a 5.4% rise, with:

- Arrivals: 16,627 flights

- Departures: 16,620 flights

Qatar Airways overtook Nepal Airlines as the top airline carrying tourists to Nepal, followed by Nepal Airlines, Himalaya Airlines, Indigo, and Fly Dubai.

Conclusion: Nepal’s Tourism Outlook

2024 marked a pivotal chapter for Nepal's tourism recovery and expansion. The year demonstrated Nepal’s capacity to attract a diverse international audience, adapt to shifting trends, and reinforce its identity as a leading destination for culture, nature, and adventure.

With infrastructure improvements, sustainable tourism policies, and global partnerships, Nepal is well-positioned to harness this momentum. As global travel stabilizes, Nepal’s tourism sector is poised to play a central role in the nation’s socio-economic development in the years to come.

"From the sacred grounds of Lumbini to the rugged trails of Mustang, Nepal’s tourism boom in 2024 reflects a growing global appetite for authentic and transformative travel experiences."

Source: by Surya Bahadur Ghimire (https://images.merolagani.com/Uploads/Repository/638490570285557628.pdf)

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