Of the 5.01 lakh vacationers that arrived in Nepal between January and Might this yr, Indians accounted for the biggest share with 1.15 lakh vacationers, which interprets to just about 23 p.c of the share. Whereas India continues to dominate the vacationer market, a brand new development is rising amongst Indian vacationers with a bigger demand for leisure journey and ‘gentle journey’ significantly amongst vacationers from Maharashtra, Gujarat and Delhi. The surge, based on the Nepal Tourism Board, has been spurred by the rise of high-end, luxurious properties growing throughout the Himalayan nation.
Information procured from Nepal authorities’s Ministry of Tradition, Tourism and Civil Aviation confirmed that tourism is witnessing a gradual rise post-pandemic, with 11.47 lakh vacationers arriving in Nepal in 2024, marking a soar of 13.07 p.c from the earlier yr. Of the overall vacationers, Indians made up for the biggest variety of vacationers within the Himalayan nation accounting for 3.17 lakh vacationers in 2024, adopted by 1.11 lakh vacationers from the USA, 1.01 lakh vacationers from China and 57,554 vacationers from the UK.
In 2025, India continued to retain its place as the biggest supply for the tourism market in Nepal. Between January and Might, this yr, 5.01 lakh vacationers visited Nepal with Indians accounting for practically 23 p.c of the overall share with 1.15 lakh vacationers. What makes Nepal an interesting selection for Indians, based on specialists, is the dearth of visa utility, open borders and proximity.
Whereas holidays, trekking and pilgrimage tourism proceed to dominate the aim of journey in Nepal, tour operators have noticed a shift in preferences amongst Indian vacationers with a bigger share of tourists now demanding ‘gentle journey’ and luxurious experiences.
Talking to The Indian Specific, Sunil Sharma, officiating director, public relations and publicity division of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) mentioned that whereas usually Indians have most well-liked touring to locations corresponding to Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan or visiting pilgrimage websites over longer durations, larger numbers of Indian vacationers are actually on the lookout for leisure journey.
Sharma mentioned, “As a lot of excessive finish properties are growing throughout Nepal significantly in locations like Kathmandu and Pokhara, Indian vacationers’ demand has surged for leisure journey and gentle journey. Which means that Indian vacationers are more and more preferring unique resorts and locations within the mountain areas the place they keep for 2 nights, chill out, discover the encompassing mountains leisurely earlier than returning again. Such demand is especially being noticed amongst vacationers from Maharashtra and Gujarat.”
Data furnished from the Nepal tourism division confirmed that between 2023 and October 2024, star lodge properties noticed a a lot larger rise of practically 17.6 p.c throughout the nation whereas non-star resorts elevated by 10.5 p.c.
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“Not like exhausting journey in trekking the place trekkers climb upto practically 5,000 metres for days, ‘gentle journey’ is the place guests trek for 2 – three hours on the most, journey with out punishing the physique. Extra Indians are actually preferring such gentle adventures the place they trek for some hours, then chill out of their resorts and leisurely benefit from the mountains,” mentioned Sharma, including, “One of many well-liked locations for such journey amongst Indians is Dhampus which presents majestic views of the Annapurna vary.”
Moreover, cities located alongside Indian borders corresponding to Birjung, Simra, Nepalgunj, Bhairawa, cities in Jhapa district are additionally quick rising as a most well-liked hub for vacation spot weddings amongst Indians in addition to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). “The surge in these locations’ attraction is pushed by wonderful connectivity from India, coupled with the rising presence of high-end resorts and resorts in Nepal’s border cities. This mixture of accessibility and luxurious infrastructure has made Nepal an more and more engaging selection for internet hosting memorable weddings,” added Sharma.
For Nepal, tourism is the second highest international change earner, after remittances, contributing to just about seven p.c of the nation’s GDP, based on the World Journey and Tourism Council (WTTC).
(The correspondent was in Nepal on the invitation of Embassy of Nepal, New Delhi)