Nepal continues to strengthen its appeal among Indian travellers, with India maintaining its position as the country’s largest source market for international visitors by air in June 2026. According to the latest figures released by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Indian arrivals surged by 28% year-on-year, helping Nepal welcome more than 91,000 international visitors during the month.
The strong performance reflects Nepal’s growing popularity as a short-haul international destination, supported by favourable travel conditions, seasonal demand, competitive pricing and increasing interest in pilgrimage, nature and adventure tourism.
Indian visitors account for nearly half of international arrivals
The Nepal Tourism Board reported that 91,363 international tourists arrived by air in June 2026, with 41,809 visitors coming from India. This represented approximately 46% of all international arrivals for the month and marked a significant increase from 32,662 Indian visitors recorded in June 2025.
The figures reaffirm India’s importance as Nepal’s largest inbound tourism market, a position it has consistently held owing to close cultural ties, visa-free travel arrangements for Indian citizens and excellent air and road connectivity between the two neighbouring countries.
First-half arrivals continue upward trajectory
The positive momentum extended through the first half of the year.
Between January and June 2026, Nepal welcomed 177,159 Indian visitors by air, representing a 19.27% increasecompared with 148,540 arrivals during the corresponding period in 2025.
Overall, Nepal received 620,426 international visitors by air during the first six months of 2026, reflecting a 7% year-on-year increase, underscoring the country’s continued recovery and growing appeal among global travellers.
Diverse international source markets
While India dominated inbound arrivals, several other international markets also contributed significantly to Nepal’s tourism sector in June.
The United States ranked as the second-largest source market with 11,836 visitors, followed by China with 9,995 arrivals. Bangladesh contributed 4,322 visitors, while the United Kingdom recorded 2,500 arrivals, highlighting Nepal’s broad international appeal across Asia, Europe and North America.
Seasonal demand and regional travel drive Indian growth
According to the Nepal Tourism Board, multiple factors contributed to the sharp increase in Indian visitor numbers.
Exceptionally high summer temperatures across many Indian cities encouraged travellers to seek cooler mountain destinations, while school and college holidays generated additional family travel demand. The board also noted that initiatives by the Government of India promoting domestic and regional tourism helped stimulate outbound travel to neighbouring destinations.
Another important factor was the increase in international airfares on many long-haul routes following disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. As overseas travel became more expensive, Nepal emerged as an attractive and accessible alternative for Indian holidaymakers seeking international experiences without lengthy travel times or high costs.
The tourism board further credited sustained destination marketing campaigns, social media promotions and travel content produced by Indian bloggers, digital creators and influencers for enhancing Nepal’s visibility among younger and first-time travellers.
Road tourism remains a significant contributor
Beyond air arrivals, the Nepal Tourism Board highlighted that hundreds of thousands of Indian visitors also travelled to Nepal by road during the year, reflecting the unique cross-border mobility shared by the two countries.
Popular destinations included the lakeside city of Pokhara, the revered pilgrimage site of Muktinath Temple and the scenic Himalayan village of Ghandruk. These destinations continue to attract Indian visitors seeking spiritual journeys, mountain landscapes, trekking experiences and adventure tourism.
The ease of overland travel, combined with Nepal’s diverse tourism offerings, has helped sustain year-round demand from the Indian market.
Outlook
The latest tourism data reinforces Nepal’s growing position as one of the most accessible and attractive international destinations for Indian travellers. With nearly half of all international air arrivals in June originating from India, the country remains central to Nepal’s tourism growth strategy.
As demand for short-haul international holidays continues to rise and connectivity between the two countries expands, Nepal is well positioned to attract even greater numbers of Indian leisure, pilgrimage and adventure travellers in the months ahead
