Kathmandu, April 1: The tourism industry in Nepal is beginning to feel the effects of the crisis in West Asia. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) reported on Wednesday that March typically sees a significant influx of foreign tourists from Europe, America, West Asia, and Africa. However, due to the current situation in the Middle East, there has been a notable decline.
The global tensions are becoming increasingly evident during Nepal’s peak tourism season. The military conflict that began on February 28 between the United States, Israel, and Iran is now impacting travel and the global economy, directly affecting Nepal’s tourism sector.
March, April, and May are usually peak months for tourism in Nepal, attracting many foreign visitors for trekking and mountaineering. Additionally, many tourists from India visit Nepal to escape the heat. While the number of tourists from India remained substantial this year, there was a decline in visitors from other regions.
According to the NTB, the total number of foreign tourists in March 2026 decreased by 1% year-on-year to 120,516. The most significant drop came from regions that typically access Nepal via West Asia. Tourist numbers from West Asia fell by 37.1% to 1,718, while declines of 25.4% from North America, 22.2% from Africa, and 18.9% from Europe were also recorded.
The primary reason for this decline is that many international travelers use West Asia as a transit route, where ongoing conflicts have disrupted flights and travel plans. This has impacted the number of long-haul tourists arriving in Nepal.
Despite these challenges, South Asian countries have provided support to Nepal’s tourism sector. The number of tourists from South Asia increased by 20.9% to 42,668, with India contributing the most at 25,728 visitors. Additionally, a good number of tourists arrived from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, indicating that trends in religious, cultural, and short-term travel remain strong.
Encouraging figures have also emerged from other Asian countries. Tourists from China, Myanmar, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea contributed positively, with a total of 33,436 visitors arriving from the ‘Other Asia’ region.
Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, stated that despite global conflicts and disruptions in flights, the situation is not entirely bleak. He noted that the increase in tourists from neighboring countries is a positive sign, and the board is focusing on these markets while also working to strengthen its presence in higher-spending markets like Europe and America.
However, given the uncertain situation in West Asia, Nepal is now shifting its focus to alternative markets to maintain balance and stability in its tourism sector.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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