KATHMANDU, July 5: Domestic tourism contributed 2.65 percent to Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) in Fiscal Year 2024/25, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO).
The Domestic Tourism Survey 2025 conducted by the NSO estimates that domestic tourism generated a gross value added of Rs 144.49 billion in the review year. Overnight tourists accounted for the larger share of tourism consumption, contributing Rs 314.41 billion, while same-day excursionists contributed Rs 92.76 billion, indicating that overnight travel continues to dominate domestic tourism demand.
In addition, resident households spent Rs 9.9 billion within Nepal as part of outbound trips before leaving the country.
The survey shows that the national average duration of a domestic trip is 5.29 days, while Nepalis make an average of 3.47 domestic trips per person annually. The length and frequency of travel vary considerably depending on the purpose of the trip.
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Education and training-related travel recorded the longest average stay at 9.16 days, while religious and shopping trips had the shortest average duration at 2.04 days. In terms of travel frequency, business and professional trips were the most common, averaging 6.9 trips per person, whereas holidays and leisure trips were the least frequent at 3.02 trips.
Nationally, the average duration of an overnight stay was 5.33 days, while the average frequency was 4.81 trips.
The survey also found significant provincial variations in the average duration and frequency of overnight domestic trips.
Sudurpaschim Province recorded the longest average stay at 8.18 days, while Madhesh Province reported the shortest average stay of 3.17 days. Gandaki Province registered the highest frequency of overnight domestic trips at 6.26, whereas Sudurpaschim recorded the lowest frequency at 3.32 trips.
The survey also identified the top three destination districts for overnight domestic trips by purpose of travel, with Kathmandu, Chitwan and Kaski dominating the rankings.
Kathmandu emerged as the leading destination across most travel categories, including business, health and education, and also accounted for the largest share of total overnight domestic trips nationwide. Kaski ranked as the top destination for holidays and leisure travel.
According to the NSO report, the total tourism expenditure by Nepal's resident households during the 12-month reference period amounted to Rs 459.5 billion. The figure includes spending on both domestic tourism and outbound tourism.
