KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 1 Nepal welcomed 92,573 international visitors in January 2026, marking a positive start to the year for the country's tourism sector, according to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). The figure represents a 15 percent increase compared to January 2025 and is 14 percent higher than the pre-pandemic level recorded in January 2019, NTB data show. India remained Nepal's largest source market, contributing 26,624 visitors, accounting for 28.8 percent of total arrivals. It was followed by China with 9,101 visitors (9.8 percent), the United States with 8,406 (9.1 percent), Bangladesh with 5,814 (6.3 percent), and Australia with 4,957 visitors (5.4 percent). Region-wise, tourists from South Asia (SAARC countries) made up the largest share at 39.3 percent, followed by other Asian countries at 26.1 percent. Visitors from Europe accounted for 12.3 percent, while the Americas contributed 10.8 percent. Arrivals from Oceania stood at 5.7 percent, the Middle East at 1.0 percent, Africa at 0.4 percent, and other regions at 4.5 percent. NTB said the January figures indicate growing international confidence in Nepal as a travel destination and reflect steady recovery and expansion of the tourism sector beyond pre-pandemic levels.