KATHMANDU: The Annapurna Conservation Area's Manang district recorded a combined total of 2,093 tourist arrivals during the month of Falgun (mid-February to mid-March 2026), with visitors from both SAARC nations and other international destinations contributing to what officials describe as a gradual but encouraging improvement in tourism activity in the region.

According to data released by the NTNC Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Manang, a total of 237 tourists arrived from SAARC countries during the period, comprising 204 male and 33 female visitors. India dominated this segment with 236 arrivals. A further 1,856 tourists arrived from other foreign countries, of whom 1,117 were male, 738 female and one other, with China leading the group at 448 visitors.

The figures represent a month-on-month improvement, reflecting renewed momentum in one of Nepal's most iconic trekking destinations.

The Manang data aligns with a broader national trend. Nepal received 105,441 international visitors in February 2026 — an 8.8 percent rise compared to the same month last year and 2.9 percent above pre-pandemic February 2019 levels, according to Nepal Tourism Board figures. Arrivals now stand at 102.9 percent of 2019 levels, marking a full recovery from the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic.

India remained Nepal's single largest source market nationally, with 22,745 arrivals accounting for 21.6 percent of total visitors. China followed with 10,816, the United States with 9,710, Sri Lanka with 7,515 and Myanmar with 6,035. By region, South Asian countries led with 33.5 percent of total arrivals, followed by the rest of Asia at 28.3 percent, Europe at 16.6 percent and the Americas at 11.2 percent.

"These encouraging figures reflect sustained global confidence in Nepal as a premier travel destination," the Nepal Tourism Board said, reaffirming its commitment to positioning Nepal as a lifetime experience destination.