Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: Nepal has seen a decline in tourist arrivals at the start of this year’s peak season, with only 64,518 foreign tourists entering the country in the first 23 days of March, according to the Department of Immigration.
This figure is significantly lower compared to the same period last year, when 121,687 tourists visited Nepal in March. With one week remaining in the month, the tourism sector is struggling to recover lost numbers.
Regional Conflicts Affect Transit Routes
Tika Ram Dhakal, Acting Director General of the Department of Immigration, attributed the decline to ongoing conflicts in the Gulf region. “Compared to last year, fewer tourists have arrived this March. The airspace disruption in Gulf countries has directly affected Nepal’s tourist inflow,” he said.
Transit hubs in Dubai, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia—used by most travelers from the United States and Europe—have been impacted by recent attacks in Iran, reducing arrivals from these key source markets.
Tourism Industry Expresses Concern
Deepkaraj Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, admitted that this season’s tourist inflow has not met expectations. “The September protests had already affected last year’s tourist numbers. Now, ongoing conflicts in Gulf countries are also limiting arrivals from Europe and the United States,” he explained.
Laxman Subedi, President of the Hotel Association Pokhara, said hotels are struggling to increase business during the prime trekking months of March, April, and May. “Tourists from the U.S. and Europe, who usually arrive during March, have not yet come, impacting hotel occupancy and trekking services,” he said.
Travel Advisory Impacts U.S. Arrivals
The U.S. has issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Nepal, warning American travelers about potential risks. As a result, tourism operators do not expect a sudden increase in U.S. visitors in the short term.
With the key early-season months affected, the tourism sector in Nepal faces challenges in meeting annual visitor targets, despite ongoing promotional campaigns under the Nepal–ASEAN Tourism Year initiative.
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