The travel landscape in Nepal shows remarkable progress according to the latest official statistics. The Nepal Tourism Board, using raw data from the Department of Immigration, compiled these metrics. The data highlights an incredibly strong month for international visitor arrivals.
A total of 102,626 international travelers entered the country in May 2026. This figure shows significant growth compared to previous years. For instance, it marks a 19.03% increase over May 2025, which saw 86,216 arrivals. Furthermore, current arrivals have surpassed the pre-pandemic benchmark of May 2019 by 31.02%. This upward trajectory indicates an impressive recovery rate of 131.0% against 2019 levels.
Several countries consistently drive the majority of inbound travel to Nepal. The chart below highlights the top ten source nations for May 2026.
India: 40,782 arrivals
China: 11,514 arrivals
U.S.A.: 9,001 arrivals
Bangladesh: 5,298 arrivals
U.K.: 3,375 arrivals
Australia: 2,870 arrivals
Malaysia: 2,857 arrivals
Japan: 1,756 arrivals
Russia: 1,550 arrivals
Germany: 1,548 arrivals
South Asia remains the largest contributor to Nepal’s travel sector. Visitors from the SAARC region accounted for 48,461 arrivals, commanding a 47.2% market share. This represents a substantial 41.08% growth compared to May 2025.
Other Asian countries also demonstrated solid performance, bringing in 20,462 tourists. This gave the region a 19.9% share of the total monthly arrivals. Meanwhile, European markets contributed 13,440 visitors, securing a 13.1% share. The Americas held a 10.3% share with 10,618 arrivals. Smaller percentages came from Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa.
The following table presents a detailed breakdown of international visitor arrivals for May 2026. It compares current data with May 2025 and May 2019.
| Country / Region of Nationality | May 2026 Arrivals | May 2026 % Share | May 2025 Arrivals | % Change (2026 vs 2025) | May 2019 Arrivals | % Change (2026 vs 2019) |
| SOUTH ASIA (SAARC) | 48,461 | 47.22% | 34,350 | 41.08% | 28,475 | 70.2% |
| India | 40,782 | 39.74% | 28,160 | 44.82% | 26,021 | 8.2% |
| Bangladesh | 5,298 | 5.16% | 4,280 | 23.79% | 1,037 | 312.7% |
| Bhutan | 1,360 | 1.33% | 1,029 | 32.17% | 760 | 35.4% |
| Sri Lanka | 580 | 0.57% | 455 | 27.47% | 253 | 79.8% |
| Pakistan | 434 | 0.42% | 426 | 1.88% | 404 | 5.4% |
| Afghanistan | 7 | 0.01% | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 0.0% |
| ASIA (OTHER) | 20,462 | 19.94% | 18,069 | 13.24% | 20,085 | -10.0% |
| China | 11,514 | 11.22% | 8,824 | 30.48% | 12,359 | -28.6% |
| Malaysia | 2,857 | 2.78% | 2,084 | 37.09% | 1,468 | 42.0% |
| Japan | 1,756 | 1.71% | 1,495 | 17.46% | 1,690 | -11.5% |
| South Korea | 1,217 | 1.19% | 1,386 | -12.19% | 1,514 | -8.5% |
| EUROPE | 13,440 | 13.10% | 13,330 | 0.83% | 12,582 | 5.9% |
| United Kingdom | 3,375 | 3.29% | 3,473 | -2.82% | 3,387 | 2.5% |
| Russia | 1,550 | 1.51% | 1,284 | 20.72% | 582 | 120.6% |
| Germany | 1,548 | 1.51% | 1,578 | -1.90% | 1,808 | -12.7% |
| The Netherlands | 1,278 | 1.25% | 648 | 97.22% | 796 | -18.6% |
| France | 1,154 | 1.12% | 1,393 | -17.16% | 1,601 | -13.0% |
| AMERICAS | 10,618 | 10.35% | 10,842 | -2.07% | 9,277 | 16.9% |
| U.S.A. | 9,001 | 8.77% | 9,074 | -0.80% | 7,550 | 20.2% |
| Canada | 1,199 | 1.17% | 1,260 | -4.84% | 1,220 | 3.3% |
| OCEANIA | 3,188 | 3.11% | 2,984 | 6.84% | 2,412 | 23.7% |
| Australia | 2,870 | 2.80% | 2,679 | 7.13% | 2,048 | 30.8% |
| New Zealand | 318 | 0.31% | 305 | 4.26% | 364 | -16.2% |
| MIDDLE EAST | 1,511 | 1.47% | 1,515 | -0.26% | 815 | 85.9% |
| AFRICA | 334 | 0.33% | 337 | -0.89% | 309 | 9.1% |
| OTHERS | 4,612 | 4.49% | 4,789 | -3.70% | 4,374 | 9.5% |
| TOTAL | 102,626 | 100.00% | 86,216 | 19.03% | 78,329 | 31.02% |
The analysis points to several positive shifts within the industry. Tourism has expanded beyond traditional seasonal boundaries.
First, regional proximity continues to drive volume. India and Bangladesh recorded very notable year-on-year expansions. Bangladesh arrivals grew significantly by 23.79% compared to the previous year. Second, mature long-haul markets show stable demand. Travelers from the United States and the United Kingdom remain vital pillars. Third, new growth markets are emerging rapidly. European nations like the Netherlands saw arrivals nearly double compared to last May.
