Kathmandu-Nepal recorded 105,441 international visitors in February, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. The figure is 8.8 per cent higher than February last year and 2.9 per cent above February 2019. Overall recovery has reached 102.9 per cent of pre pandemic arrivals.

India remained the largest source market. Nepal welcomed 22,745 visitors from India during the month. China ranked second with 10,816 arrivals. The United States followed with 9,710 visitors.

Sri Lanka sent 7,515 tourists. Myanmar recorded 6,035 visitors. The United Kingdom accounted for 5,618 arrivals. Australia contributed 4,126 tourists.

Thailand and Bangladesh also featured among the top markets. Nepal received 3,638 visitors from Thailand and 3,212 from Bangladesh. Germany rounded out the top ten source countries with 2,850 visitors.

Region wise data shows South Asia held the largest share of arrivals. The region accounted for 35,348 visitors, or 33.5 per cent of the total. Other Asian countries contributed 29,857 tourists, or 28.3 per cent.

Europe recorded 17,493 arrivals, making up 16.6 per cent of total visitors. The Americas accounted for 11,815 arrivals, or 11.2 per cent. Oceania sent 1,680 tourists. The Middle East recorded 949 arrivals. Africa recorded 344.

The figures are based on preliminary monthly data from the Department of Immigration compiled by the tourism board.