Nepal Tourism

Nepal has welcomed over 120,000 tourists in the first two months of 2023, with Indian tourists accounting for the highest number of arrivals in February. The country has witnessed a surge in tourist arrivals due to many countries easing their travel restrictions since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) reported that it welcomed 128,329 tourists by air in the first two months of 2023. This is a significant increase compared to the same period last year, with a 270.6% rise in foreign tourists coming to Nepal in February alone. India had the highest number of tourists,...

Nepal's Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality has announced that it will not require a trekking guide for those hiking in the region near Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, despite the Nepal Tourism Board's (NTB) decision to make it mandatory for all trekking destinations from April. The municipality has instead called on hikers to take a guide with them to ensure their safety. The NTB has also decided to ban solo treks from April, requiring all trekkers to carry a Tourist Information Management System card and travel with a guide. There has been ongoing tension between the NTB...

On 6th August 2020, terrorists attacked a police station in Khoti area of Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan. Three terrorists were killed in the exchange of gunfire while three security personnel lost their lives. The Pakistan Army Public Relations (ISPR) reported a fierce exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists in Sago area of Dera Ismail Khan. ISPR confirmed the three security forces personnel who were martyred in the attack: 42-year-old Havaldar Muhammad Azhar Iqbal of Lodhran, 34-year-old Naik Muhammad Asad of Khanewal, and 22-year-old Sepoy Muhammad Isa of South Waziristan. ISPR stated the security forces surrounded the terrorists in Kosgou...

Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara, Nepal are worried about the fate of their businesses as hotel occupancy rates remain low, even during the peak tourist season. Occupancy rates are currently at around 20%, which is not even enough to cover operating costs. The tourism sector has suffered greatly due to high interest rates, low tourist arrivals, and the pandemic. The President of the Hotel Association Nepal notes that the industry is under attack from all sides, and many hotels in Lakeside may have to close or be sold in the near future. Domestic guests have also decreased due to transportation issues...

Trekking in Nepal is a unique and enchanting journey, but for female trekkers, it is essential to take necessary precautions for a safe and rewarding experience. Nepal is a largely tolerant and progressive country with respect for women, and women trekkers have never reported feeling unsafe. Trekking in Nepal offers spiritual connections, opportunities to meet and connect with local women, to learn new skills, and to challenge oneself to reach new heights. To prepare for a trekking journey, it is important to choose the right trekking route, ensure appropriate gear and safety equipment, and hire a local guide for a...

Nepal is making it mandatory for all tourists trekking in the country's Himalayan region to hire local assistance through a registered trekking company, according to Nepal Tourism Board's (NTB) spokesperson, Mani Raj Lamichhane. The new rule coming into effect from 1 April, applies to established trekking routes within the Trekkers’ Information Management System, where each trekker, including free independent trekkers, must obtain permission from the NTB. The decision aims to ensure the safety of travellers and create more jobs, and is expected to provide a boost to local tourism, as well as create employment opportunities for thousands of guides and porters whose livelihoods...

Nepal has recorded more than 73,000 foreign tourists entering the country via air travel in February 2022, with numbers increasing from previous months and previous years. The influx in tourism comes after a decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Nepal Tourism Board Director notes that the numbers represent an encouraging trend for the tourism industry. The largest numbers of tourists came from India, the US, and Thailand, with other countries like China, Australia, and Germany also represented. The total number of foreign tourists visiting Nepal slightly increased in 2022 to 614,148, compared to 150,962 in 2021, although it...

Solo hiking has been banned across Nepal, including remote areas and popular trekking routes, in a bid to cut costs and prevent fatalities. According to officials, the Nepal Tourist Board (NTB) made the decision, which will come into effect in April 2020, in order to reduce the costs of search-and-rescue missions, as well as help prevent hikers getting lost or dying. Nepal has eight of the world’s tallest mountains and is especially known for its trekking routes. Under the new ruling, those wishing to trek in remote areas must hire an official guide or join a government-approved group. Around 50,000 hikers chose to...

Solo hiking will be banned in Nepal's national parks in an effort to reduce risks for adventure seekers, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. The new rules, which apply to international tourists of all experience levels on treks in national parks, expands on a 2017 mandate that banned solo climbing on the country's mountains. Last year, there were about 22,000 solo trekkers in Nepal, with climbers primarily from the US, Britain, China, Germany, India and Japan. Some hikers have criticized the new rules, however, travel companies and tour organizations have welcomed the move, hoping it will increase the number of...