Tourist Arrivals in Nepal Climb 12% in September Driven by Asian Influx
Nepal welcomed 88,248 foreign tourists in September 2026, up 12.1 percent year-on-year, driven by surges from China and South Asia despite downturns in Western markets.
Nepal welcomed 88,248 foreign tourists in September 2026, up 12.1 percent year-on-year, driven by surges from China and South Asia despite downturns in Western markets.
Local entrepreneurs in Rupandehi are pressing the government to resume regular international flights at Gautam Buddha International Airport, where operations have stalled since March.
Five wide-body captains have resigned and debt pressures are mounting as Nepal Airlines faces grounded aircraft and a leadership vacuum following a Supreme Court ruling.
The Department of Tourism has issued autumn climbing permits to 648 mountaineers representing 69 countries for expeditions across 20 peaks, generating roughly Rs 238.96 million in royalties. According to department figures confirmed by information officer Suraj Ghimire, the cleared climbers include 485 men and 163 women divided across 71 expedition teams.
Parliamentary lawmakers and traffic police have launched coordinated checks, fare controls, and passenger help desks across the Kathmandu Valley ahead of Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath.
Community homestays and links to the Gurung Heritage Trail are driving sustainable rural tourism in Singdi village, bringing new income to Kwholasothar Rural Municipality.
Himalaya Airlines has restarted direct Kathmandu–Shanghai services and Nepal Airlines has reopened flights to Taplejung's Suketar Airport, restoring vital links ahead of Dashain and autumn tourism.
Severe monsoon rainfall and hazardous trail conditions have disrupted trekking along the Annapurna Circuit, prompting hundreds of foreign hikers to abandon their journeys in Manang rather than attempt the Thorong La pass. According to Bhupendra Gurung, the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Dharapani post in-charge, 246 foreign visitors—151 men and 95 women—retreated toward Lamjung between September 22 and 28. Incoming traffic recorded at the post dropped from over 100 hikers daily to just one or two.