US tourists top Nepal's visitor list in October
American tourists became the top source of visitors to Nepal in October 2026, even as industry leaders warn that overall capacity remains underutilized.
Nepal saw a notable shift in its tourism demographics during October 2026, as American visitors surpassed Indian travelers to become the largest group of tourists entering the country by air. According to data from the Nepal Tourism Board, 132,814 foreign tourists arrived in Nepal during the month, marking a 3.4 percent increase compared to the 128,443 visitors recorded in October 2025.
A shift in visitor origins
Tourism Board officials highlighted that the surge in American arrivals is the highest since 2018. Nagarik News reported that 17,437 American tourists visited in October, while Onlinekhabar noted that this figure represents a significant rise from the 13,286 Americans who visited during the same month last year. Conversely, Indian arrivals experienced a decline, dropping to 12,097 from 17,298 in October 2025. Chinese tourists followed in third place with 11,695 arrivals, while visitors from the United Kingdom and Australia rounded out the top five.
Despite the growth in total arrivals, industry leaders emphasize that the sector is operating well below its potential. Binayak Shah, president of the Hotel Association of Nepal, stated in reports by DC Nepal and Nepal Press that the country's hotels have the capacity to host between 3.5 and 4 million tourists annually. However, actual arrivals remain far below this threshold, with only 1.147 million tourists recorded in 2025.
Infrastructure and labor challenges
Shah identified several structural barriers to growth, including the need for improved air connectivity and the full operationalization of international airports in Pokhara and Bhairahawa. He argued that relying solely on Kathmandu's international airport limits the country's ability to attract more visitors from neighboring India and China. Furthermore, Shah pointed to the European Union's ongoing inclusion of Nepali airlines on its air safety list as a factor hindering European tourism.
Beyond infrastructure, the hospitality sector is grappling with a shortage of skilled labor. Shah noted that while international hotel brands are expanding their presence in Nepal, many trained professionals are choosing to work abroad. This trend has forced some domestic hotels to hire foreign workers to maintain service standards. To address these issues, industry stakeholders are calling for a national strategy that integrates better road networks, modernized government policies, and a stronger focus on diverse tourism products, such as wellness and spiritual travel, to encourage longer stays and higher spending by visitors.