KATHMANDU, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Nepal saw a drop in foreign tourist arrivals for two consecutive months in April as the Himalayan country bears the fallout of the Middle East conflict, which has disrupted international travel, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said on Monday.

March, April, and May are considered peak months for foreign tourist arrivals in the country. A large number of visitors come to Nepal for trekking and mountaineering during the spring season. However, the conflict, which began in February, has disrupted travel through Middle East cities that serve as major transit hubs for most tourists visiting Nepal from Europe and the Americas.

According to the NTB, a total of 107,934 foreign tourists visited Nepal in April, which is 7.3 percent fewer than the 116,490 visitors recorded in April 2025. In March as well, the number of foreign tourists decreased by one percent to 120,516.

"Escalating conflict in West Asia has created disruptions in air connectivity and affected international promotion efforts, which appears to have had some impact on tourist arrivals in April," the NTB said in a statement. "To increase tourist numbers in Nepal, there is a need for enhanced digital marketing, as well as additional plans, programs, and strategies to present Nepal as a safe and attractive destination." ■