Domestic tourists boost Nepal's festive season as international arrivals lag
Domestic travelers flocked to Nepal's top destinations during Dashain, but the tourism sector faces challenges in attracting foreign visitors due to infrastructure concerns and weak promotion.
Nepal’s tourism sector experienced a notable surge in domestic travel during the recent Dashain festival, even as international visitor numbers failed to meet industry expectations. While popular destinations like Pokhara, Chitwan, and Mustang saw high occupancy rates among locals, the broader tourism market struggled to attract the anticipated influx of foreign guests.
Regional trends and the Annapurna surge
Despite the overall shortfall in international arrivals, the Annapurna region reported a significant increase in foreign trekkers. According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), 32,963 foreign tourists visited the region during the month of Ashoj, which spans from mid-September to mid-October. This represents an increase of 2,416 visitors compared to the same period last year, as reported by The Rising Nepal and My Republica.
Onlinekhabar further noted that between October 11 and October 25, the Annapurna Circuit hosted 5,384 foreign tourists, a substantial rise from the 2,757 recorded during the same timeframe in 2025. ACAP officials suggested that this concentration in the Annapurna region was partly driven by tourists diverting from the Manaslu circuit, which faced accessibility issues due to recent flooding and landslides.
Challenges to international growth
Tourism industry leaders point to several factors hindering international recovery. Tourism Face reported that heavy rainfall and natural disasters in late September damaged key trekking routes, creating a perception of widespread insecurity. Industry experts, including former Nepal Tourism Board CEO Deepakraj Joshi, argued that the failure to clearly distinguish between affected areas and safe destinations led to unnecessary cancellations.
Furthermore, stakeholders highlighted institutional weaknesses as a major hurdle. Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) President Binayak Shah noted that the lack of effective international promotion and a delayed budget hampered marketing efforts. The industry has also been operating without a permanent CEO at the Nepal Tourism Board for over five months, which critics claim has stalled strategic planning.
While Indian tourist arrivals remained relatively stable, European bookings suffered due to the negative publicity surrounding the monsoon disasters. Although the government has announced 2027 as the 'Wellness Tourism Year,' industry representatives emphasized that successful implementation requires better infrastructure and more proactive crisis communication. As the peak trekking season continues, operators remain hopeful that improved information flow and stable leadership will help restore international confidence in Nepal as a premier travel destination.