India has reclaimed its spot as the top source of inbound tourists to Nepal this February, showcasing a robust recovery in tourism for the Himalayan nation. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) revealed on Saturday that of the 97,426 tourists who arrived by air last month, 25,578 were from India. This places India ahead of China, the United States, Thailand, the UK, and Bangladesh in terms of tourist numbers.

Despite the official figure of over 25,000 Indian tourists, NTB Director Mani Lamichhane suggests the real number is significantly higher, considering the large volume of travellers crossing into Nepal via land. This surge in Indian tourists marks a considerable increase from January's 18,041 visitors.

February's tourist arrivals via air show a 33% increase from the same month last year, which saw 73,255 visitors. More impressively, the numbers indicate a 95.12% recovery compared to February 2019, the pre-pandemic period, underscoring the resilience and potential comeback of Nepal's tourism sector.

Lamichhane remains optimistic about the future, expecting visitor numbers to climb further as the peak tourism season begins in March. The data from February serves as a hopeful indicator for Nepal's tourism industry, which faced severe challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the sector looks to regain its footing in 2024, the influx of tourists, especially from India, offers a much-needed boost and signals a brighter year ahead for tourism in Nepal.