Domestic tourists boost Nepal's festive season as international arrivals lag

Nepal’s tourism industry saw a robust increase in domestic travel during the recent Dashain festival, with popular destinations such as Pokhara, Chitwan, and Mustang recording high occupancy rates. However, the broader sector continues to face challenges in attracting international visitors. While the Annapurna region buckled the trend with 32,963 foreign trekkers in the month of Ashoj—an increase of 2,416 compared to the previous year—this concentration was partly attributed to tourists diverting from the flood-damaged Manaslu circuit.

Industry experts, including former Nepal Tourism Board CEO Deepakraj Joshi, argue that negative perceptions following late September’s natural disasters led to unnecessary cancellations. Stakeholders, such as Hotel Association Nepal President Binayak Shah, point to institutional shortcomings, including a lack of effective international promotion and the absence of a permanent Nepal Tourism Board CEO for over five months. While Indian arrivals remain stable, operators emphasize that restoring international confidence requires improved infrastructure and proactive crisis communication.