KATHMANDU: Nepal welcomed 120,516 international visitors in March 2026, reaching 94.6% of pre-pandemic March 2019 levels, according to data released by the Nepal Tourism Board — a figure that reflects the country's continued recovery as a global tourism destination despite a marginal year-on-year dip.

March arrivals were slightly lower than the 121,687 recorded in the same period last year, a decline of 1.0%, and remain 5.4% short of the 127,351 arrivals Nepal recorded in March 2019.

India remained Nepal's largest source of visitors, contributing 25,728 arrivals or 21.3% of the total. China came second with 11,220 visitors (9.3%), followed by Sri Lanka with 10,759 (8.9%), the United States with 7,974 (6.6%), and Myanmar with 6,020 (5.0%).

South Asia (SAARC) accounted for the largest share of arrivals at 35.4%, with 42,668 visitors — a strong 20.9% increase over the previous year and 33.4% above pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the growing importance of the regional market. Other Asian markets contributed 27.7% with 33,436 arrivals, up 6.7% year-on-year, though still 22% below 2019 figures.

Europe sent 20,876 visitors, representing a 17.3% share but an 18.9% decline from last year. The Americas contributed 10,374 visitors (8.6%), down 25.4% year-on-year but 13.7% above pre-pandemic levels. Oceania showed healthy growth with 5,225 arrivals, up 12.5% from last year and 27.6% above 2019 figures. The Middle East and Africa together accounted for 1.6% of total arrivals.

"These figures reflect a robust regional performance, particularly from South Asian and Other Asian markets, as Nepal continues to stabilise its recovery toward pre-pandemic benchmarks," the Nepal Tourism Board said, reaffirming its commitment to positioning Nepal as a Lifetime Experience Destination.

The data comes as Nepal's new government under Prime Minister Balen Shah has identified tourism as a priority sector, and as the US State Department recently downgraded its Nepal travel advisory from Level 3 to Level 2 — a development the industry hopes will support stronger arrivals in the months ahead.