Kathmandu. A total of 120,516 foreign tourists arrived in Nepal in March 2026. According to the statistics made public by the Nepal Tourism Board, the number of tourists coming from South Asian and other Asian countries has increased significantly in the month of March.

According to the statistics, 42,668 tourists from South Asian countries visited Nepal in March 2026. That’s about 35 total arrivals. It is 4 percent. Of them, the highest number of 25,728 tourists visited Nepal from India. A total of 10,759 tourists from Sri Lanka and 4,676 tourists from Bangladesh visited Nepal in the last 24 hours. The high number of tourists from India shows that the religious, cultural and short-term tourism trend is still strong.

Likewise, the number of tourists coming from other Asian countries is also encouraging. A total of 11,220 tourists from China, 6,020 from Myanmar and 3,897 from Thailand visited Nepal. There have also been significant arrivals from Japan, Malaysia and South Korea. In total, 33,436 tourists have visited Nepal from ‘Other Asia’ regions, which is about 27.5 percent of the total arrivals. 7 percent.

Although the number of tourists from European and American markets has not increased significantly, it has remained stable. According to the board, the impact of the ongoing war in West Asia has affected the increase in tourist arrivals from Europe and America. Although the number of tourists coming from Europe and America is less than the Asian market, their contribution as a high-spending tourist is considered significant.

In March 2025, 121,687 foreign tourists had visited Nepal, while 127,351 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the same month before the outbreak of COVID-19. A total of 105,441 tourists had visited Nepal in February 2026.

March-April is seen as the month of increase in arrivals due to weather, trekking season and other factors. However, this year’s main season has not seen significant growth due to the escalating war in West Asia affecting international flights and the travel advisories issued by the respective countries. Especially during this season, the number of tourists coming to Nepal for mountain climbing, trekking, adventure tourism and cultural tourism increases as compared to other months.

Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), said that the number of arrivals was not disappointing despite the global conflict and disruption of international flights. “Although the inflow of tourists from Europe and America has decreased slightly, the increase in tourist arrivals from neighbouring countries including India is a positive sign,” he said. We are also working on promotional programs to cash in on the neighboring market. In addition to this, we are also strengthening our presence in high-spending tourist target markets such as Europe and America through the International Mart. “

CEO Joshi said that there is no need to panic looking at the current data, but there is no situation to be confident. He said, “The uncertain situation developing especially in the Middle East may affect the global tourism market in the coming days.” Therefore, Nepal Tourism Board has prepared strategies for alternative market expansion with a balanced and sustainable strategy. ”