The shadow of decline hangs heavy over Nepal’s tourism industry, battered by post-pandemic woes and persistent safety concerns. A country that drew adventurers and pilgrims from around the world now grapples with arrivals hovering at just over a million yearly—stuck below 2019 figures. Ahead of the March 5 parliamentary polls, political heavyweights are rallying with comprehensive plans to reboot the sector.
According to The Kathmandu Post, recurring aviation disasters, crumbling road networks, and feeble international promotion have crippled growth. Four leading parties have woven tourism into their campaign cores, vowing aviation reforms, diplomatic pushes for Indian air corridors, and a five-year target to double visitors and their expenditures.
Unified commitments include delisting from the EU’s air safety roster and ramping up flights from upcoming international hubs. CPN-UML under KP Oli champions infrastructure boosts, market outreach, air expansion, security enhancements, and novel sites, stressing ‘safety above all.’ The Nepali Communist Party (Maoist Centre) promises airline overhauls and legal fights for EU clearance, while Nepali Congress spotlights wellness retreats and spiritual journeys.
RSP’s manifesto mirrors the ambitious doubling with tech and policy tweaks. Nepal Tourism Board stats reveal 1,158,459 air tourists in 2025 versus 1,147,548 in 2024, achieving 97% recovery from pre-COVID but not full rebound. Indian footfall at 292,438 marked an 8% decline year-on-year, yet a 30% January 2026 jump hints at optimism. Indians dominate at 35.2% of 2025 totals, followed by US, China, UK, and Bangladesh.
Political turmoil, including deadly 2024 protests, dented numbers, but CEO Deepak Raj Joshi highlights resilience with a 1% rise in global arrivals. As manifestos vie for votes, Nepal’s parties bet big on tourism’s phoenix-like rise, potentially transforming election rhetoric into economic momentum.