Tourist Arrivals in Nepal Surge Despite September Floods

October 2, 2026

Kathmandu, October 2 (Daily Kiran) : Kathmandu experienced a surprising boost in tourism in September, despite the devastating floods that struck the region on August 26. According to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the number of foreign tourists visiting the country rose by 12.1% compared to the previous year.

In total, 88,248 foreign tourists arrived in Nepal in September, up from 78,711 in the same month last year. The floods, triggered by landslides near the Nepal-China border, resulted in significant loss of life, with at least 1,453 fatalities and 5,285 individuals, including 636 foreigners, still reported missing.

Images of washed-out roads, collapsed bridges, and bodies recovered from the rivers spread far beyond Rasuwagadhi, leading many potential tourists to believe that the entire country had been affected by the disaster. As cancellations of hotel bookings began to rise, both government agencies and the private sector launched a campaign to reassure travelers. The “Nepal Calling” initiative aimed to communicate that most areas of Nepal remained safe, aside from the flood-impacted river regions.

The period from September to November is considered peak tourist season in Nepal, accounting for nearly 40% of the annual foreign tourist arrivals. The NTB reported that the highest number of tourists came from India, with 17,425 visitors, marking a 12% increase from last year. Following India, China ranked second with 11,212 tourists, reflecting a remarkable 114.1% increase in Chinese visitors.

The United States contributed 8,299 tourists, while Sri Lanka and Australia sent 7,108 and 4,842 visitors, respectively. In total, South Asia accounted for 30,085 tourists, representing 34.09% of all foreign arrivals. Other regions, including Asia and Europe, saw 19,888 and 15,148 visitors, respectively. However, Europe experienced an 8.7% decline in tourist numbers compared to September of the previous year. Similarly, tourists from Oceania and the Americas decreased by 25.9% and 12.3%, respectively, according to NTB data.