Indian tourists flock to Nepal in record numbers, boosting tourism industry

Nepal's tourism sector is experiencing a significant resurgence as Indian visitors return in record numbers, signaling a potential turnaround after years of disruption. May recorded the highest-ever monthly arrivals of Indian tourists, marking a substantial increase from the previous year.

Industry insiders attribute this revival to a combination of factors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for Indians to curb overseas spending may have redirected some travel towards Nepal. Simultaneously, Nepal has made itself more accessible by lifting its ban on high-denomination Indian currency notes and widely adopting digital payment systems. These changes make Nepal a highly convenient foreign destination for Indian travelers.

The resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimage through Nepal has also been a major draw. Following improved India-China relations, the pilgrimage restarted last year, and demand this year has already surpassed the quotas set by China. This auspicious pilgrimage, especially during the Year of the Horse, is attracting a large number of devotees seeking spiritual merit.

Furthermore, relatively affordable airfares between major Indian cities and Kathmandu contribute to Nepal's competitiveness as an international destination. Tourism entrepreneurs and policymakers are optimistic that even a small increase in Nepal's share of India's rapidly expanding outbound travel market could yield substantial economic benefits for the country.

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We have requested Chinese authorities to increase the quota by another 15,000 pilgrims and the response has been encouraging.