Homestay Nepal: Opportunities Challenges...Workshop Report Homestay Tourism in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges 2nd October, 2012 Kathmandu, Nepal Alumni Network for Mountain Development

Workshop Report

Homestay Tourism in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges

2nd October, 2012

Kathmandu, Nepal

Alumni Network for Mountain Development (ANMD) Nepal

In association with

German Development Cooperation (GIZ)

Co‐organizer

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)

Homestay Tourism in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges

Prepared By

Mr. Rup Kumar BK

Workshop Coordinator

Ms. Jeni Thapa

© : ANMD Nepal

Coverpage/ Layout Design

Rainbow Design House Pvt. Ltd.

Putalisadak, Kathmandu

Phone: 01‐4219021

E‐mail: [email protected]

Summary

This workshop includes participants from different clusters; Lwang–ghalel – Kaski, Barpak – Gorkha, Tanahusur – Tanahu, Lamatar – Lalitpur, Chitlang – Makwanpur, and Balthali – Kabhre of Nepal, having homestay already in practice. Those participants were the practitioners of homestay tourism in their respective areas. In addition, other participants include people from academia-universities, tour operators, travel agents, hotel owners, and government officials. The workshop was organized by Alumni Network for Mountain Development (ANMD) Nepal, in association with German Development Cooperation (GIZ), and co-organized by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).

During this workshop issues related to current status, existing practices, varieties of services, difficulties and future prospects of homestay tourism in Nepal were presented and discussed. Three papers were presented in the workshop on:(i) Current status, challenges and opportunities and way forward (ii) Prospects of Homestay Tourism in Nepal (iii) Role of Alumni Network for Mountain Development (ANMD) Nepal for promoting Homestay Tourism in Nepal.

In addition, an active participatory discussion with homestay practitioners, academicians and government officials made the discussion more problems focused, and came up with possible ideas and solutions. After the presentation, participants from different stakeholders (homestay tourism practitioners, travel agents, academicians and experts) participated in the active discussion sessions. Further, the

two groups worked on exploring problems and possible solutions of homestay in Nepal came up with some of the practical recommendation, which can be implemented in order to make homestay a better stay than ever. The participants, as per their feedback at the end of the workshop, shared the workshop was very interesting and knowledgeable and problem focused.

Acknowledgements

Alumni Network for Mountain Development (ANMD) Nepal thanks German Development Cooperation (GIZ) for providing financial assistance for this programme. In addition, ANMD Nepal is thankful to Mr. Subash Niraula, Chief Executive of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) providing opportunity for sharing hands to co-organize the programme. Further, ANMD Nepal thanks academicians, homestay practitioners, and participants from different areas of Nepal; Lwang-ghalel-Kaski, Barpak-Gorkha, Tanahusur-Tanahu, Lamatar-Lalitpur, Chitlang-Makwanpur and Balthali-Kabhre.

Contents

Introduction 1

Opening Session 3

Workshop Sessions 4

Session 1: Homestay Tourism in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges 4

‐ Mr. Sunil Sharma and Mr. Udaya Bhattarai

Session 2: Prospects and Challenges of Homestay in Nepal 7

‐ Dr. Prem Sharma

Session 3: Alumni Network for Mountain Development (ANMD) Nepal: An Experience of Knowledge and Skill Transfer for Sustainable Mountain Development 10

‐ Ms. Jeni Thapa

Group Work Session 11

Opinion and Feedback Session 16

Learning from the Workshop 17

Recommendation 18

Annexes

Annex I : List of Participants 20

Annex II : Programme Schedule 22

Annex III : Homestay Tourism in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges 23

Annex IV : Prospects and Challenges of Homestay in Nepal 28

Annex V : Alumni Network for Mountain Development (ANMD) Nepal: An Experience of Knowledge and Skill Transfer for Sustainable Mountain Development 35

Annex VI : Prospects and Challenges of Homestay in Nepal (Draft paper) 38

Reference 51

Homestay Tourism in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges 1 2 Homestay Tourism in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges

Introduction

Alumni Network for Mountain Development (ANMD) Nepal is a non-profit organization, established in Kathmandu, Nepal as a loose forum in 2010 by the Nepalese participants of the International Leadership Training (ILT) on regional and sustainable mountain development conducted by InWent, Germany. Other members of ANMD Nepal are participants of short-term capacity building trainings conducted during 2007 to 2011 at the national level such as change management, cross-border tourism and sustainable development of mountain regions in Nepal. With the aim of contributing to the sustainable mountain development in Nepal, ANMD Nepal formally registered on 2012 in Kathmandu, works with different organizations (GoN, I/NGO, CBO), creating and strengthening partnership and collaboration with them for contributing to the sustainable mountain development.

The Alumni Network of Mountain Development (ANMD) Nepal is a center of excellence of knowledge bank focusing on sustainable mountain development with participation of local people through network with national and international development institutions.

The ANMD Nepal has implemented number of activities ranging from capacity building, research, livelihood support, establishing network and information dissemination. Among them Kickoff workshop, thematic issue identification, operation of online network of ANMD Nepal, research on

sustainable mountain development stakeholders of Nepal, and appertaining policies. Similarly, in capacity building intervention training on homestay tourism, organic farming, solid waste management and renewable energy for community people and reporting skills training for members of ANMD Nepal were conducted.

ANMD Nepal conducted research visits to three different areas; Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale in the eastern, Balthali in the central and Lwang-ghalel in the western mountain areas of Nepal and homestay tourism was identified as the most promising area for sustainable development.

After finding the thematic area "home stay tourism" in the mountain villages for the sustainable development of the areas, ANMD Nepal conducted ‘Community Based Home Stay Tourism’ trainings in three different areas: Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale of eastern region, Balthali of centre and Lwang-ghalel of western mountain regions of Nepal in December 2010. The training was a huge success because the community of the two areas; Balthali and Lwang-ghalel started ‘Home Stay Tourism’ in their villages. ANMD Nepal’s endeavor to support mountain people for their sustainable development does not end here. In order to further explore the problems, prospects and its further linkage with policy domain of the country, ANMD Nepal envisioned to organize a one day workshop where the knowledge from the grass-root ‘homestay practitioners’, academicians, researchers, experts and the policy makers were exchanged to harness for carving a roadmap for the homestay tourism in Nepal.


As part of the regular programme, ANMD Nepal organized a one-day workshop on 'Homestay Tourism in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges', to explore the further possibility of homestay tourism in Nepal that may contribute to the economic development of the rural villages in the vicinity of mountains. Participants from the homestay destinations; Lwang-ghalel Village Development Committee (VDC) - western and Balthali and Lamatar VDC- central were invited in the workshop. In addition, the workshop was accompanied by various stakeholders of the homestay tourism; academicians, travel agents, hotel owners, policy makers, and university researchers, and contributed their experiences and recommendations during active discussion and group work in the workshop.

In a nutshell, the workshop provided a platform for practitioners, experts, researchers and enthusiasts to improve understanding, explore possibilities, and formulate appropriate future strategies to foster homestay tourism in Nepal.

Opening Session

Mr. Shankar Pandey, Focal Person of AMND Nepal, chaired the opening session. The workshop proceeded with the welcome speech from Mr. Shankar Prasad Kharel, member of the ANMD Nepal and Programme Director, National Planning Commission Secretariat, welcomed all the participants of the workshop and thanked them for being at

the venue. He introduced ANMD Nepal - its objectives, working areas, involvement in homestay tourism promotion in Nepal, and objective of the day's workshop. After welcoming speech, introduction session was facilitated by Ms. Jeni Thapa where participants introduce themselves and expectations were collected.

The workshop was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Mr. Pushpa Lal Shakya, Joint secretary, National Planning Commission, by kindling diyo (panas) and beautiful aromatic incense sticks.

Workshop Sessions

Session I: Homestay Tourism Opportunities and Challenges

The first session of the workshop, entitled 'Homestay Tourism: Opportunity and Challenges', was conducted jointly by Mr. Sunil Sharma, Manager, and Mr. Udaya Bhattarai, Assistant Manager from Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Mr. Udaya Bhattarai highlighted the initiative of Government of Nepal (GoN) on tourism, especially on homestay tourism. He


added that Nepal has only 6 years' experience on professional homestay tourism, benefitted by limited people and areas.

So far, homestay tourism has been practiced in Nepal since time immemorial, as tourists are regarded as Atithi Devo Bhava (Guests are God), in the Nepali society. Due to countless ethnic community with mosaic of cultures, attributed to diverse social practices, has immense possibility for the enthusiasts to enjoy homestay tourism in Nepal. However, there is a need to make coordination among different stakeholders involved in homestay tourism including tour operators-for advertising; government-for prioritizing; rural ethnic villagers-for providing better services to the tourists. Proper harness of efforts between stakeholders will foster homestay tourism in Nepal, attracting both the national and international tourists; will sustain the homestay business in Nepal.

Discussion

Mr Mahesh Bhattarai, Programme Director, National Planning Commission (NPC) opined that there should be clear difference between homestay and lodge; providing the

facilities accordingly to the tourists; and, level of satisfaction of those customers should be measured. Next, Mr. Suman Kharel, Lecturer, Central Department of Rural Development of Tribhuvan University opposed on the idea of Ghandruk- a homestay destination, being considered as homestay due to unavailability of local products in the area. Similarly, he pointed another homestay tourism destination "Sirubari" for importing most of the consumable goods for tourists.

Further, Ms. Poonam Pant, Hariyo Ban Project (FECOFUN) shared Far West Region always being neglected as homestay tourism destination despite its widespread and rich ethnic cultural heritage.

Furthermore, Mr. Yogesh Dhakal, a Rural Development Student, Tribhuvan University insisted on implementation of homestay guideline prepared by the GoN. He also added that there should be benefitted by producing products at their own for the tourists, that would enhance the local economy.

Amid queries and explanations from the participants, some homestay practitioners from Lwang-ghalel, a popular homestay destination from west Nepal, shared that they have made local tourists happier than the international ones.


This is because Lwang-ghalel is located inside Annapurna Conservation Area, therefore international tourists have to pay NPR 2,000 as royalty. This royalty system makes homestay more expensive for international tourist than the domestic tourists. Therefore, international tourists are discouraged to go to Lwang-ghalel.

Further, Mr. Binod Humagain, a homestay practitioner from Balthali, shared that it is difficult to go according to the guidelines of Homestay tourism because the investment has not reaped any output due to less number of tourists visiting in the areas. In addition, the Brahmin community in the area does not involve in homestay tourism due to cultural reasons.

Session II: Prospect and Challenges of Homestay in Nepal

Mr. Prem Sharma, PhD, Central Department of Tribhuvan University presented the paper on 'Prospect and Challenges of Homestay in Nepal'. Dr. Sharma portrayed the picture of homestay; the unexplored, rich in cultural heritage, laden with natural beauty, villages at its pristine state, and unheralded plains and gorges in Nepal. Villages are wonderful; they are there for, to be exploited; however, we are not reaping the benefit of our unheralded, unexplored pristine villages of rural Nepal. It carries big possibilities as there are big markets around; India and China, which can be a source of income for the villagers.

He further added that Nepal is blessed with diverse culture and nature; however, Nepalese are un-ware of it, and lack the mechanism and enthusiasm to exploit it. In addition, he explains the need of feasibility study for destination planning, empowerment of local communities, promote eco-tourism, product development and management, environmental protection, institutional co-ordination and regulation, human resource development, protection and promotion of cultural, religious, archaeological and natural heritages.

Dr. Sharma portrayed the conceptual framework of the homestay tourism, the current status- in a rudimentary stage-yet a source of great attraction to the tourists, and some of the peculiarities- religious, hunting, adventure tourism in the rural areas of Nepal. He presented the tourism products, heritages, and peculiarities of rural Nepal that can be sold as a tourism package.

Further, he added on harnessing synergy between the stakeholders, and commitment from the GoN by making policy, plan and implementing the same by preparing action plan in tourism.


Furthermore, information and communication system, marketing and promotion, and establishment of cooperatives and development of entrepreneurship among the people of homestay area can foster services for tourists and income for the local people.

Discussion

Mr. Pashupati Neupane, an academician, shared that homestay is just an accommodation. Most of the homestay communities are serving imported products instead of local products. In addition, professionalism is entirely lacking in most of the homestay tourism destinations. Some basic standards of services provided by homestay should be maintained to attract the follow up of tourists in the days to come.

Mr. Udaya Bhattarai, Assistant Manager, NTB shared that his organization is a policy lobbyist, and facilitates linkages between different stakeholders, harnessing their effort for tourism development. He further made queries on how we can integrate organic agriculture, handicraft production, and cultural activities with homestay tourism.

Mr. Rup Kumar BK, Programme Officer, GIZ, made a remark on whatever the local items available in the homestay destination, would be a matter of interest for the tourists.

Session III: Alumni Network for Mountain Development (ANMD) Nepal: An Experience of Knowledge and Skill Transfer for Sustainable Mountain Development

Ms. Jeni Thapa, member, ANMD Nepal and the workshop coordinator presented the experience of sustainable mountain development in Nepal through knowledge and skill transfer activities. She explained the efforts, objectives and activities of ANMD Nepal for mountain development program in Nepal. Ms. Thapa highlighted the rationale of the workshop, and gave some ideas to compare the tourism practices of Germany and Nepal. In addition, she portrayed the activities of ANMD Nepal dedicated to the homestay development that include research and follow up visits in Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale in the eastern; Balthali in the central; and Lwang-ghalel in the western region of Nepal. Ms. Thapa further introduced International Leadership Training (ILT).

Discussion

Dr. Prem Sharma, Central Department of Rural Development, made a query on why ANMD Nepal is not focused on actual mountain villages rather focusing on in Kathmandu only.


Ms. Lakhfuti Sherpa, chairperson of Nepal Women Mountaineers Association, said that transport facility is vital for the development of homestay tourism. She further added that she made an initiative of constructing a road network to the village which made the arrival of tourist increased in her village.

Mr. Gyan Bahadur Karki from Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) showed the Homestay Tourism Guidelines- a GoN's authentic document, that includes training package.

Group Work Session

The participants were divided into two groups. They were given an assignment of exploring and sharing their experiences on; a) Problems and challenges of Homestay Tourism and, b) Recommendation to address the challenges. Both the groups, with almost 20 participants each, were sharing their ideas for 30 minutes. After having enough discussion with in the group, the following information and ideas were explored, and each group made a presentation for about 5 minutes followed by discussion and queries.

Presentation of Group 1

Challenges of Homestay Tourism

• Basic Infrastructure Rooms, road access, communication, electricity

• Management

• Registration (tenure-ship)

• Marketing and promotion

• Human resources (training, hospitality and cooking skills)

• Tour Package (tourism activities)

• Lack of coordination (government organization, travel agencies)

• Unhealthy competition (guest sharing)

• Profit distribution

• Lack of supervision from concerned authorities

Possible Solution to address the problems

• Preparation of homestay planning and development

• Loan subsidy for housing and management

• Special provision for infrastructure from Village Development Committee and District Development Committees.

• Management

‐ Capacity development training

‐ Leadership development training

‐ Networking and study tour

• Registration policy

‐ Personal

‐ Community


‐ Management of Urban and Rural Homestay should be different

‐ Prioritization of homestay in youth self-employment and other government programmes

• Facilities

‐ Skills development training

‐ Standardization by the committee

‐ Regular monitoring (by committees and Nepal Tourism Board)

• Marketing and Promotion

‐ Participation of concerned stakeholders (entrepreneurs, TAAN, NATA and NTB) during the homestay package design and development

‐ Establishment of national and regional level network for homestay tourism promotion

‐ Advertisement and promotion of homestay tourism via local media

‐ Providing ‘Leave Travel Concession’ for public servants and promote them to go on homestay tourism

• Homestay Tour Package

‐ Preparation innovative homestay package by individual homestay groups

‐ Harness organic farming with homestay tourism

• Coordination

‐ Networking

‐ Regular meeting, seminar and reviewing

• Internal Unhealthy Competition

‐ Develop rule and regulation

‐ Mechanism of equal benefit sharing

• Benefit sharing

‐ More priority to community based homestay

‐ Prioritize products based on local agriculture, culture and custom

‐ Promote alternative and local food items

‐ Provide loan subsidy to the poor

‐ Establish community tourism fund

Presentation of Group 2

Challenges of Homestay Tourism

Possible Solution to address the problems

• Infrastructure • Road • Residence facility • Transport • Electricity

• Construction of road by local authority, private and peoples participation (PPP)

• Residence facilities to be provided by local entrepreneurs

• Government subsidy on tax for transportation and people’s participation

• Local government and people’s participation

• Production and Distribution ‐ Organic farm production ‐ Gift items ‐ Storage management ‐ Utilization

• Coordinate with district agriculture office and farmers for organic farming

• Marketing of local products

• Coordinate with district agriculture office and farmers for cold storage


• Policy/Law/Regulation ‐ No policy and laws as

such ‐ Regulations not

implemented ‐ Problem in registration

process

• Implementation of concrete policy from central level

• Implementation of regulation and bylines

• Simplification of rules make provision of them in government budget

• Skill management ‐ Language and guide ‐ Hospitality ‐ Kitchenette ‐ Level of accommodation

and appertaining services ‐ Entrepreneurship

• Provision of trainings to be managed by concerned authorities

• Extension of marketing and network ‐ Tour operator ‐ Tourist ‐ Government entity ‐ Other promotional

techniques

• Coordination among various concerned authorities

• Cultural Programme ‐ Extinction of culture ‐ Lack of resources ‐ Influence of exotic

culture

• Raise awareness • Investing in resources

from various concerned authorities

• Conservation ‐ Sanitation ‐ Natural heritage ‐ Local skills and knowledge

• Training • Plantation and

maintenance • Motivation and

transfer of skills

Opinion and Feedback Session

Mr Shiva Lamichhane, President, Village Tourism Promotion Forum Nepal opined that GoN should start promoting homestay tourism in Nepal by providing leave to the civil servants and persuade them to stay some time in homestay tourism destinations.

Likewise, Ms. Mana Dahal, Chairperson, ANMD Nepal, shared that the network of ANMD Nepal has collaboration with other organizations with similar mandates. Therefore, the initiative of ANMD Nepal for homestay tourism is getting momentum.

Mr. Devendra Nepal, Homestay practitioner from Chitlang presented the beautiful scenery and services available for homestay tourists in Chitlang.

Further, Mr Sunil Sharma, Manager, NTB shared that since the tourists have to pay the amount for the services they need, therefore there should be maintenance of services to give them the value of money.

Mr. Pushpa Lal Shakya, Chief Guest, shared that despite the supporting policies and existing homestay tourism guideline, tourists are attracted towards such destinations, only if the related stakeholders collaborate for their effort. He also


insisted on the active involvement of the local people in order to develop the tourism destination rather than waiting the help from the government.

Learning from the Workshop

The scenic beauty, pristine and unexplored forests-gorges-uplands, and a mosaic of ethnic cultures, their unique livelihood and food habits in rural villages of Nepal are a matter of great interest, and a strong foundation of homestay tourism in Nepal. Nepal has tremendous possibility of homestay tourism in most of the rural villages, especially in the area inhabited by ethnic people. The tourists, both internal and international, like to prefer those culturally unique villages, explore them, and enjoy with them at their homes.

However, the available services- food, dormitory, toilet, recipe of the local products to offer for the tourists in those villages are not sufficient. In addition, homestay tourism guideline has already been prepared by the GoN that contains detail description of operating procedures.

The village people are not capable enough to provide the basic services to the tourists. Therefore, there is a need to harness efforts between public, private and the related stakeholders. The GoN can support by extending infrastructures i.e. road and water; the private sectors including tour operators can advertise and recommend, while the homestay practitioners by using local products and upgrading the available services, can better satisfy tourists.

Recommendation

After diving deep into the theory from the experts and exploring the existing practices of ‘Homestay Tourism in Nepal’ from the communities belonging to three different geographical locations of Nepal, we have agglomerated few recommendations. By wisely applying those recommendations, may drive ‘Homestay Tourism’ to a greater height. In a nutshell, the following recommendations were made after the workshop.

• There is a need of preparation of homestay planning and development for the local people. Hence, the local people of the proposed homestay tourism destination should be technically assisted to prepare homestay planning and development.

• The locals of the homestay tourism destination should be given training on leadership, hospitality along with food and beverage (by using local menu) so that the tourists can get quality service.

• Loan subsidy should be provided to the local people for upgrading their existing facilities i.e. bed, rooms, bathrooms, tap, cleanliness etc.

• Home stay tourism destination should be connected with other tourism stakeholders of Nepal, and promotion should also be done by Tourism Entrepreneurs, TAAN, NATA and NTB.

• Government of Nepal should provide ‘Leave Travel Concession’ for public servants and promote them to go on homestay tourism


• In most of the homestay tourism destinations, there is a problem of benefit sharing among all the community members. Therefore while planning for homestay tourism development of the area, every member of the community should be taken care of for the benefit sharing mechanism.

• Establish community tourism fund in the homestay tourism destinations so as to invest in capacity building and infrastructure.

• Homestay tourism operation practice in Nepal, both community and privately, should be differentiated and treated accordingly by the GoN during providing assistance and other facilities.

• There is a need of development of homestay tourism database so that tourists can easily explore, choose, and book their stay. The organizations including NTB, VITOF , NATA, and NATHM should take the initiative.

Annex I: List of Participants


Annex II: Programme Schedule

Alumni Network for Mountain Development, Nepal

Conference on Opportunities and Challenges of Homestay in Nepal

DATE:2nd October, 2012

From To Minutes Topic Facilitators

8:15 9:00 45 Breakfast and Registration

9:00 9:10 10 Welcome Shankar Kharel

9:10 9:20 10 Chairing : Chief‐guest, Chairperson

Jeni Thapa

9:20 9:35 15 Opening /objectives sharing

Mana Dahal

9:35 9:50 15 Chief‐guest speech

9:55 10:40 45 Paper Presentation 1 Dr.Prem Sharma

10:40 11:10 30 Discussion

11:10 11:55 45 Paper Presentation 2 Udaya Bhattarai, NTB

11:55 12:25 30 Discussion

12:30 13:30 60 Lunch Break

13:30 14:15 45 Paper Presentation 3 Jeni Thapa

14:15 14:45 30 Discussion Jeni Thapa, Rup BK, Shankar Pandey

14:45 15:30 45 Group Work

15:30 16:15 45 Presentation from each group

Rup Kumar BK

16:15 16:30 15 Wrap up of Workshop Closing

16:30 17:00 30 Tea and cookies


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Why Home Stay Concept of Home Stay

C æcltly b]jf] ejÆ – Guests are gods• Early travels involved carrying items for

consumption (not money)• Night stays in villages were not charged;

the hosts considered their good luck andprivilege to entertain travellers

• Compensation against such stays, if any,was entirely voluntary

General Trend

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Total tourist arrival 526,705 500,277 509,956 602,867 736,215

Averge length of stay 11.96 11.78 11.32 12.67 13.12

Averge Income per visitor per day (US $) 45 73 65.3 43.2 38.2

Why Home Stay

Pokhara (52%)

Bhaktapur (54%)Lalitpur (48%)

Nagarkot (31%)

Chitwan (21%)

Dhulikhel (7%)

Annapurna Region (26%)

Everest (15%)

Lumbini (6%)

Langtang (4%)

Why Home Stay

Nepal Tourism Year 2011 Quantified Targets

• One million annual international arrivals,• Dispersal of at least 40% of the

international tourists into emerging and new tourist areas,

• Encourage additional investment on tourism infrastructures, and

• Develop mechanism to record domestic tourism activities.

Tourism and Regional Development• Tourism is looked upon as an effective tool for

economic development in areas left behind thefruits of mainstream development

• An alternative to agriculture, which has failed toevolve despite constant focus

• Can address the negative environmental impacts ofvillage-city migration

• Tourism requires infrastructure; and tourismrevenue contributes to infrastructure development.Locals are equal benefeciaries of infrastructures intourism product areas.

Tourism and Regional Dev…

• Tourism packages the raw materials into an appealing product, thereby triggering travel movements to any particular area.

Contd……• The aftermath of succesful ascent of Mt.

Everest opened gates for tourismdevelopment in Nepal

• Mountaineering required a lot of travel onfoot and many night stays along the way.The warm hospitality accorded by locals inKhumbu region soon gained appreciationthe world over.

• Tourists, particularly the trekkers, realizedspending nights in village homes wouldmake travelling easy.

Contd…..

• Remote areas possess excellent tourismproduct inventory but very few services.The concept of Home Stay aims toaddress this bottleneck.

• Villages like Ghandruk and Sirubari havebeen the pioneers in Home Stay.

Tourism and Nepal

• Tourism’s contribution to GDP – nearly 4 percent• Employment – 952,500 (412,500 direct and rest indirect)

WTTC• Total Earnings : USD 321 Million (FY 067/68)• A major source of ForEx earnings : NPR. 28.76 billion

(2011 )• 2011/12 first six months : 5.9% of total Forex earnings• Total Arrivals : 736,215 (2011), up 22.1% over 2010• No. of international online carriers flying in to Nepal : 30• Average Length of Stay: 13.12 days (2011)

Annex III: Homestay Tourism in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges

Home StayOpportunities and Challenges

Sunil Sharma, Manager, NTBUdaya Bhattarai, Sr. Asst. Manager, NTB


BenefitsSOCIAL

• An ideal platform for intercultural exchanges

• Conflict reduction amongst different races and nationalities

• Retention of youth• Learning new languages, skills and builds

confidence amongst locals• People become smart and independent as

modernization gradually sneaks through

Prospects ………

• Increase in tourism awareness because ofconstant inteventions by key players

• Education institutes adopting observationand visits as key tools to learning

• Every other village has one or few uniqueattractions

• If only 20 beds can be added in each of4000 VDCs, it would strengthen ouraccomodation supply capacity by 80000beds per night.

BenefitsTOURISM RELATED

• Tourists get a chance to witness Nepal’s cultural diversity up-close

• Increase in our accomodation supply capability

• Addresses seasonality• Promotion of the destination

Where is the market?1. The 21st century Tourist• Green consumer• Knowledgeable about environmental issues• Conscious of social justice concerns• Motivated by a desire for self-fulfilment and learning• Independent• Loves flexible itinerary• Sensitive to local cultures• Looks for physically and mentally challenging

interactions• Looks for creating impact in destination

Nepal’s generally accepted Model of Home Stay

• Ethnically / culturally homogenous Traditionally built houses where the family resides and is involved in operation

• Homely atmosphere• Gastronomy based on local production

and skills• Opportunities to observe and participate in

local social and cultural activities

BenefitsECONOMIC

• Transferring economic and employment opportunites to rural areas

• Encouraging Local investment in tourism• Encouraging micro entrpreneurship• Direct Economic Benefits – Consumption

of Food, Accomodation and purchase of souveniers

• Conservation of indigenous skills

Benefits

ENVIRONMENTAL

• Keeping the premises, kitchen and toilets clean reduces common sanitation-related diseases.

• Awareness on environment conservation increases

Prospects of Home Stay Development in Nepal

SOUND PROSPECT OWING TO: • Topography, natural, historical and cultural

product inventory, cultural diversity,tradition, hospitable people and majorityresiding in rural areas.

• Even the houses in rural areas follow aunique architecture model

• Most of the villages are now linked byroads – though many not motorablyaccessible

Existing Home Stay Capacity

District Total Number of Home Stay

Kathmandu 50Bhaktapur 12

Lalitpur 8Chitawan 8

Kavre 33

Nuwakot 24

Ramechhap 1Mugu 3

Source: MOCTCA, Tourism Industry Division

Where is the Market….

2. Domestic TouristsReligious touristsStaffs / Employees (I/NGOs)School / CollegesGovernment Employees (LTC)Others

Challenges

• SUSTAINABILITY• Institutional mechanism for sustainable

development of Home Stay• Poor infrastructures• Human resources• Virtually no Planning• No assessment of impact on National economy• Creating beneficial market linkages• No workplan for the conservation of indigenous

culture and traditions

Way Forward• Requisite policy iterventions / support• Branding Nepal’s Community based Home Stay

as a model• Creating a specialized institution for rural

tourism development• Preparing tourism master plan of the potential

villages identified on the basis of studies• Ensuring respective VDC representative in

District Home Stay Coordination Committee


National Anthem Song

Prospect and Challenges of Home‐Stay in NepalPrem Sharma PhD, CDRD,TU

www.welcomenepal.com

THANK YOU

Way Forward …..• Ample focus on security issues• Programs for enhancing skills on local

gastronomy• Local Tour Guide Training for at least 2 youth /

operator in each Home Stay village• Clear demarcation amongst Hotels, Lodges,

Guest Houses and Home stays• FAM Trips for Trade / media• Home stay marketing to be adopted as a key

agenda by local Chamber of Commerce

Way Forward ………

• One Door Policy in catering to the basicrequirements of prospective Home Stayvillages

• Home Stay Management Committee toprepare an inventory list of attractions andensure these are not tampered with

• Build a system which ensure justdistribution of gains from localizedactivities.

Home-Stay

Chapter Plan• Introduction• Conceptual Framework• Home‐Stay• Products• Potentiality• Existing Status• Market Challenge• Suggestion Recommendation what next ?• Questions, Queries & Comments

Introduction• A form of tourism. A recreation trip in a new destination inthequest of new knowledge• Community tourism based on 3 pillars‐ service, facility andattraction. Wehave only attraction.• It’s a (micro) business, so itmust be demand driven•Private sector upper hand• It’s not only that of atithi deo bhawa; But Karm ma basedentrepreneur;•An opportunity to involve and observe the natural setting• Allows visitor accommodation services from afamily/community to better learn and understand the local lifestyle• Demand driven triangulation‐ tourist, entrepreneur andproduct+GONContd.

• Nepal a super tourism destination: Mt. Everest & Lumbini(adventure and pilgrimage+historical)

• Multifaceted natural Shangri‐La, Bio‐diversities, social andcultural treasures

• But most unexplored, unidentified and unheralded

• Big adjacent marts China& India+SAARC; However,

• Need of tremendous preparations (soft and hard wareinfrastructures)

Annex IV: Prospects and Challenges of Homestay in Nepal


Products A. Culture Products B. Heritages

Conceptual Framework of Home-StayTOURISM

Product Ite m to accrues‐ Multipr odu ct

‐ Natu re/ Service‐ Pol lu tion Free‐ Bio‐d iversity

‐ Ethnogr aphical/Treasuries ‐ Typically Locale/organ ic,‐ Recreat ion tour a nd treks

‐ Cultural P rogre ss

‐ GON‐ Policy (Security and safety), Plan, Program,

Activities ‐ Infrastructures Development‐ Accessibilit y and Affordabi lity, is any ultimate

solution ?

Experience

Homestay

Destination

Individual

Community

Quality carry ing capacity

Accommodation and Quality of Service

Capacity Facility Specialty

What is New? Unique, Mystery, Both Soft and hardware

TOURISTWith Money and Mind Expect what , how a nd why to vis it (Allure)

Faded from Urban culture mechanical Artificial Products

Economic Activities Employment Generation,

Resource generation

Mobilization, Utilization, Change in life style, Cultural Exchange

Skill

Products C. Biodiversities

•One of the backbones for boosting rural economy thru uplifting rural lives of the people

•An opportunity of cross‐cultural exchange with visitor having new idea and knowledge

• Leisure people faded with urbanization and industrialization/mechanization

• The recent idea originated from the experiences (from S. Korea, Malaysia) and knowledge from a wide discourse with tourism expert, entrepreneurs and concerned stakeholders

•Diversify tourism and impart the concept to rural community

Products B. Heritages

Products• Home‐Stay’ is itself a product• naturally and culturally rich country; biodiversities• possesses immense potential in wide range of tourism

products’ ‐ Nature’s gifts and manmade heritages (arts and artifacts) across the country diversely.

• “Naturally Nepal, Once is not enough” presents the glimpses of beauty of Nepal

• culture, traditions, feasts and festivals and their celebrities are found unique in dozens of cast, ethnic groups, and tribes of people. Both Mangolian and Aryan cultures are deep rooted as two religious groups of people, i.e., Hinduism and Buddhism, Gurung, Tamangheritages

• a perfect harmony and tolerance between these two and in other religious faiths.


Existing Status

• Rare knowledge about Home‐Stay along misinterpretation• However, Home‐Stay Regulation‐ 2011• Tourism activities confined in few urban/city areas• The word Tourism/touristmeant money/bunch of money• Few practices/destinations initiated by locale in rural

areas‐ Sirubari, Ghalegaon, Lwang, Barpak and Tanahusurbut emerging experience in urban area; rare cases ofpaying guest system

• All in primitive stage/learning phase; operated in personalhome

• All of they're for short term, not more than two dayscontd.

Hunting

Existing Status

Existing Status• Conservation and preservation of those heritages is a serious matter of concern.

• The Mansarobar Kailash of Tibet bordered to Humla, the culture of Karnali region the HaleshiMahadev, Khotang (two rel igious celebrities in one), and Panchpokharai, Sindhupalchowk are visited and celebrated/worshiped for a solo god by both Hindu and Buddhists.

• Nepal is more pious land than Jerusalem, Israel. • pilgrimage sites‐ temple, monastery, mosque, church are

respected and regarded as common faith of all citizen.• Because of the remoteness and rugged topography or physical

setting, the country l ives of Nepal are visit friendly. • Fresh, organic and pollution free rural lives are explorable. • Short or long trekking, hiking besides the adventure activities such

as bonze jumping, rock climbing, ultra l ight, lodging and dinner with in typical indigenous cultural programs in different ethnic groups/people in different altitudes and eco‐regions

Potentiality• Lot of unexplored, unidentified and half unfolded potentiality

• Natural Shangri‐La (boons)‐ scenes/sights , biodiversity• Human treasures‐ multi‐ethnographic, cultural heritages‐ Tharu, Tamang, Thakali, Gurung, Magar, Bhote (Tibetan), etc.

• A sense of guests are Gods (atithi devo bhawa): Mothers’ and youth clubs, school teachers are friendly

• Over 80% rural people; about 70% agro‐employment; But

• Most rural settlements‘re Home‐Stay friendly• Rural under/unemployment manpower• Potentiality to generate rural employment• Immediate big marts (China and India)+ SAARC

Existing Status Existing Status

Existing Status

• Rare website info on Home‐Stay but no tariffand booking services on online

• No network or communication; gap amongconcern stakeholders

• Role of media very positive but to do a lot, e.g.Nagarik, Gorkhapatra

• Limited and inadequate awareness thru NTB‐TRPAP, Taragaon, VITOF‐Nepal, NGOs, etc.

• Kathmandu valley outskirt cabinrestaurants/resorts as if home‐Stay but nettingyoung generation involved in illegaltransactions.


Traditional DanceChallenge Challenge

• Low level of awareness• Nomuch knowledge, idea and experience• Lack of skill, training and professionalism• Poor or no infrastructures (software deficiency & acutehardware)• National politics in transition, no conducive government orinstability, absence of elected local bodies which deliver goodsand services; Political bickering• Most products are vanishing, poachers, encroachment,ignorance• Poor maintenance of peace and security (post conflictsituation) contd.

• No national plan and strategy typical to Home‐Stay(just guideline set up and slogan)• Youth outmigration/human resource drained out• Conservative social taboos and orthodox traditionsHigh expectations, aspiration and provocation sansGON’s priority• GON apathy & dull preparation• Private business but wrong concept• Poor network/communication/dissemination• Impunity and poor security & safety

Suggestion Recommendation what next ?

•A concerted policy, plan, strategy and action plan•Create demand driven approach and encourage local initiatives•Need of education syllabus in academic institutions, e.g., school and college/universities•Educate concerned stakeholders, entrepreneurs, dev. partners and political parties/cadres on basic orientations•Need of feasibility and inventories, studies•Role of media is top most; documentaries, utshavs, fairs and festivals must•Need of over sighting/regulation institutions• Impart wide range of trainings, orientation and professionalism skill and knowledge, contd.

• Frame it in periodic and annual plans and programs(master plan)• Network building among the stakeholders anddevelop backward and forward linkages; coordinatebetween demand and supply side• Explore and herald the new destinations• Promote and encourage the entrepreneurs topreserve and conserve the human products, i.e., arts,architectures, .g., Dalit bands• Open taxidermies and arts galleries (museum)in eachdistrict or regional centre;many more???

• I travel across the nation, I see, I feel, I find and assume that Nepal is the super power destination of Village Tourism. Nepal can be unexhausted and renewable haven of tourism industry.

• A folk song reads as:• Supari chamro, Mata k ramro chhur hai mayakoheraiho ramro

• Mayale jedekheo tei bhan

• Mai ramroki ramro ho joban

Questions, Queries & Comments

Thank You


k|:t'lts/0fsf] Ps emns

• Pn'lDg g]6js{ km/ dfp06]g 8]enkd]G6 g]kfn (ANMD

Nepal) Ps kl/ro

• o;sf nIo tyf p2]Zo

• xfn ;Dd ;DkGg u/]sf sfo{x?

• cGt/fli6«o g]t[Tj ljsf; tflnd, hd{gLsf emnsx?

• o'/f]ksf lxdfnL If]qsf hLljsf]kfh{g / ko{6g ljsf;sfemnsx?

• g]kfndf 3/af; ko{6gnfO{ lsg 5gf}6 ul/of] <

“g]kfndf 3/af; ko{6g cj;/ / r'gf}tLx?”ljifos sfo{zfnf uf]i7L,

!^ clZjg @)^(

k|:t'tstf{M h]gL yfkfg]kfn ko{6g af]8{,

e[s'6L d08k, sf7df08f}

Pn'lDg g]6js{ km/ dfp06]g 8]enkd]G6 g]kfn M lxdfnLIf]qsf] lbuf] ljsf;df 1fg tyf ;Lk x:tfGt/0f cg'ej

Pn'lDg g]6js{ km/ dfp06]g 8]enkd]G6 g]kfn

(ANMD, Nepal) Ps kl/ro

• ;g \ @))& b]lv @)!! ;Dd lxdfno kj{t >[vnf cGt/utsf rf/ b ]z -

g]kfn, rLg, kfls:tfg / tflhls:tfg_ sf lxdfnL If]q ljsf;sf nflu

o'j f hgzlQm tof/ ug]{ x]t 'n] hd{gL ;/sf/sf] cfof]hgfdf InWent xfn

GIZ n] o'jfnfO{ nlIft u/L Ps jlif{o cGt/fli6«o g]t[Tj ljsf; M lxdfnLIf]qsf] lbuf] ljsf; tyf Joj:yfkg tflnd ;+rfng ub}{ cfPsf],

• pQm tflndsf ;xefuLx? / g]kfndf ;DkGg ljleGg /fli6«o :t/sf] 5f]6f]

;dofjlwsf tflndx? -h:t} kl/jt{g Joj:yfkg, cGt/ l;dfgf ko {6g /

lxdfnL If]qdf lbuf] Joj:yfkg cflb_ sf ;xefuLx?sf] 1fg tyf ;LknfO{

;+ul7t / lj:tf/ ug]{ p2 ]Zon] ;g\ @)!) df cgf}krfl/s ;+hfnsf] ?kdf

sfo{ ub }{ cfPsf] Pn'lDg g]6js{ km/ dfp06]g 8]enkd]G6 g]kfn (ANMD

Nepal) sf] :yfkgf ul/Psf] lyof] . xfn o; ;+:yfnfO{ ;g \ @)!@ df

d'gfkmf /lxt sDkgLsf] ?kdf btf{ ul/Psf],

Pn'lDg g]6js{ km/ dfp06]g 8]enkd]G6 g]kfn (ANMD,

Nepal) n] ;DkGg u/]sf sfo{x?

• g]6js{ ;+rfngsf nflu z'?jftL sfo{zfnf uf]i7L cS6f]j/ @)!) df ;DkGgePsf] lyof] .

• ;+:yfsf ;b:ox?sf] ;d"x ljefhg u/L s[lif, jg, phf{, h}ljsljljwtf /ko{6g h:tf ljifout d'2fsf] klxrfg sfo{qmd cGt/ut -s_tLgh'/], ldNs],hnhn] If]q -;+v'jf;ef, tfKn]h'ª/ t]x|y'd lhNnf_, -v_ jNynL uf=lj=;,sfe|] lhNnf / -u_ Njfª 3n]n uf=lj=;= sf:sL lhNnfsf] :ynut cjnf]sgcWoog cS6f]j/ @)!) ul/Psf] lyof] . h;af6 cfPsf ;Djf]wg ug{ ;lsg];Defljt ljifotu sfo{x? lgDg /x]sf 5g\M

Pn'lDg g]6js{ km/ dfp06]g 8]enkd]G6 g]kfn (ANMD,

Nepal) n] ;DkGg u/]sf sfo{x?

• cGt/fli6«o g]t[Tj tflndsf l;sfO{ x:tfGt/0f kl/of]hgfx?

• klxnf] cGt/fli6«o g]t[Tj tflnd ;d"xn] l;sfO x:tfGt/0f kl/of]hgfcGt/ut ;g\ @))* df “g]kfndf lxdfnL If]q ljsf;sf nflu ;+hfn:yfkgf sfo{zfnf uf]i7L” ;DkGg u/]sf .

• bf]>f] cGt/fli6«o g]t[Tj tflnd ;d"xn] l;sfO x:tfGt/0f kl/of]hgfcGt/ut “g]kfnsf] lxdfnL If]q ljsf;sf nflu ;+efJotf Ps k|of;”gfds kl/of]hgf ;g\ @))( g'jfsf]6sf] ssgL uf=lj=;=;DkGg ul/Psf] .

• t]>f] cGt/fli6«o g]t[Tj tflnd ;d"xn] l;sfO x:tfGt/0f kl/of]hgfcGt/ut “nfdf6f/ If]qsf] ;fd'bflos jg pkef]Qmf ;d"xx?dfkof{ko{6gsf] ljsf;” gfds kl/of]hgf xfn nfdf6f/ uf=lj=;= nlntk'/df;+rfngdf /x]sf] .

Pn'lDg g]6js{ km/ dfp06]g 8]enkd]G6 g]kfn (ANMD Nepal) sf] nIo tyf p2]Zox?

nIoM

• lxdfnL If]q / ToxfFsf afl;Gbfx?sf] lbuf] Joj:yfkgsf nflu cfjZos1fg tyf ;Lksf] cfbfg k|bfg ug]{ s]Gbsf] ?kdf ljsfl;t ePsf] x'g]5 .

p2]Zox?M

• hd{gL tyf g]kfndf ;+rfng ePsf Ifdtf clej[l2sf sfo{qmdsfl;sfOnfO{ lxdfnL If]qsf jfl;Gbfx?df lj:tf/ ug]{ .

• ;+:yfsf ;b:ox?sf] cfh{g u/]sf 1fg tyf ;LknfO{ lxdfnL If]qsf] lbuf]Joj:yfkgdf pkof]u ug]{ .

• ;+:yfsf ;b:ox?n] lbuf] lxdfnL Joj:yfkgsf If]qnfO{ cWoog cg';Gwfgtyf 1fg cfh{gsf ?kdf ljsf; u/L gLlt lgdf0f{ tyf sfo{qmd;+rfngdf ;xof]u ug]{ .

• lxdfnL If]q ljsf;df sfo{ ul/ /x]sf ;+3 ;+:yfx? ;+u ;xsfo{ ug]{ .

• lxdfnL afl;Gbfsf] hLljsf]kfh{gnfO{ dWogh/ ub]}{ kl/of]hgfx?sf]kl/sNkgf, of]hgf ljsf; u/L ;xof]u k'¥ofpg] .

ANMD Nepal n] ;DkGg u/]sf sfo{x?======

-s_tLgh'/], ldNs], hnhn] If]q -;+v'jf;ef, tfKn ]h'ª/ t]x|y'd lhNnf_

• ko{6lso tyf h}ljs ljljwtfsf] wgL o; If]qsf] ;+/If0f tyf Joj:yfkgsf

nflu ljleGg :yfgLo tyf s]lGb|o ;/f]sf/jfnfx? ;+u lj:t[t 5nkmn tyfof]hgfsf] cfjZostf

• ;8ssf] kx'Fr ePsf] If]qdf ls6gfzs, /f;folgs dn cflbsf] k|of]un] ubf{

s[lif k|0ffnLdf lbuf]kgsf] sld b]lvg' / h}ljs pTkfbgn]] ahf/ gkfO /x]sf] .

• :yfgLo s[lif pTkfbgnfO{ 6]jf k'¥ofO ahf/ ;+usf] ;DjGw lj:tf/ ePdf To;If]]qsf] cfly{s x}l;otd a[l4 ug{ ;lsg]

• ko{6gsf] k|j4{gsf nflu pRr ;+efJotf /x]tf klg cfwf/e"t ;]jfx? ;8s,xf]6]n, lj>fd :yn, Eo"–6fj/ cflbsf] ljsf; ug{ cfjZos /x]sf]

• o; If]qdf k|;:t dfqfdf kfgLsf] >f]t /x]sf], l;+rfO{ / hnljB'taf6 s[lifdf:t/f]Gtlt ug{ ;lsg] ;+efjgf /x]sf]

• ;/sf/L lgsfo tyf of]hgfljbx?sf] gh/ o; If]qdf kg{ cfjZostf dxz';ul/Psf]

ANMD Nepal n] ;DkGg u/]sf sfo{x?

• Njfª 3n]n uf= lj=;= sf:sL lhNnf• 3/jf; ko{6gsf nflu tflndsf] cfjZostf

• :yfgLo :t/df ko{6ssf nflu vkt x'g] df+;zxf/L pTkfg h:t} v;L,afv|f / kf]N6«L Joj;fosf nflu k|f]T;flxt ug]{

• sDkf]i7 dn tflnd lbO s[lif pTkfbgdf a[l4 ug]{• jg k}bfjf/df cfwfl/t pBd k|j4{g ug]{

• jNynL uf=lj=;=, sfe|] lhNnf

• :yflgo dlxnf tyf k5f8L kfl/Psfx?sf] Ifdtf clej[l4 u/L nlIftsfo{qmd cl3 ;fg{' kg]{

• cfwf/e"t ;+/rgfx?sf] ljsf; ul/g' kg]{ h:t} ;8s, :s'n, :jf:y rf}sL• u|fld0f l;+rfO, ;8s, n3'ljB't tyf ;f}o{ zlQmsf] cfjZostf /x]sf]

• :yfgL pTkfbgsf] ahf/ Joj:yf gePsf] .• u|fld0f ko{6g k|j4{gsf sfo{qmdx? to u/L cfocfh{g ug{ ;lsg] .• u}x|sfi7 jg k}bfjf/sf] pBf]u :yfkgf u/L ahf/ lj:tf/ ug]{• jg k}bfjf/df cfwfl/t pBd k|j4{g ug]{

ANMD Nepal n] ;DkGg u/]sf sfo{x?

• g]kfndf lbuf] lxdfnL If]q ljsf;sf ;fe]bf/x? Ps cg';Gw fg

• Ifdtf ljsf;sf k|of;x/ M ;d'bfodf cfwfl/t 3/af; ko{6g -xf]d :6]6'l/hd_

• % hgf rf}sL, % hgf Nofª 3n]n / $ hgf jNyfnL u/L hDdf !% hgfsf];xefuLtfdf tflnd ;DkGg ul/Psf]

• o; ;+:yfsf ;b:ox?sf] Ifdtf clej[l4 tflnd M k|:tfjgf tyf k|ltj]bgn]vg tflnd -( hgf ;b:ox?sf] ;xefuLtf /x ]sf]_

• ;+:yfut ljsf;sf] nflu ;b:ox?sf] l6d ljN8Ë js{;k

• gLltut k'g/fj[lt M g ]kfndf lbuf] lxdfnL If]q Joj:yfkg

• cg'udg cjnf]sg M

-s_tLgh'/ ], ldNs ], hnhn] If]q -;+v 'jf;ef, tfKn]h'ª/ t]x|y 'd lhNnf_,

-v_ jNynL uf=lj=;, sfe|] lhNnf /

-u_ Njfª 3n]n uf=lj=;= sf:sL lhNnfsf] :ynut cjnf]sg cWoog

cGt/fli6«o g]t[Tj ljsf; tflnd, hd{gLM emns

cGt/fli6«o g]t[Tj ljsf; tflnd, hd{gLM emns

o'/f]ksf lxdfnL If]qsf hLljsf]kfh{g / ko{6g ljsf;sf emnsx?

“lrhsf] uf]/]6f] Ps ko{6g cleofg’’McNkfOg If]qdf b'Uw Joj;fo / o;sf ljljw pTkfbg, ef]/fnju{, cli6«of

Annex V: Alumni Network for Mountain Development: An Experience of Knowledge and Skill Transfer for Sustainable Mountain Development


cli6«ofsf] ef]/fnju{ If ]qdf ko{6g k|j4{g & xKt] cg'ej


cli6«ofsf] ef]/fnju{ If]qdf ko{6g Joj:yfkg / If]lqo pTkfbg k|j4{gsf Ps emns


cli6«ofsf] ef]/fnju{ If]qdf ko{6g Joj:yfkg / If]lqo pTkfbg k|j4{gsf Ps emns

hl8j'6L ;+sng tyf ahf/ Joj:yfkg ;+hfn ko{6g

hl8j'6 L pTkfbg hl8j'6L ; +sng hl8j'6L k|;f ]wg

hl8j'6L Kofs]lhË hl8j'6L ljlqm hl8j'6L ;DjlGw ;r]tgf ; +hfn / ko{6g

hd{gL, cli6«of / O6fnLsf s]xL ko{6sLo If]qsf] emns

lgs'~h cjnf]sg xfdj'u{ jGb/ufx, hd{gL

kf/lnofd]G6, x+u]/L /f]d, O6nL

uf/ldz kf/s]g, hd{gL

eNe]/Lof uf8]{g, cli6«of

3/af; ko{6g ljsf;nfO{ lsg rog ul/of] <

• g]kfn Ps ef}uf]lns, k|fs[lts / ;+:s[lts ljljwtfePsf] b]z xf] . o;}n] ko{6gn] cy{tGq ljsf;df;+efJotf /fVb5,

• g]kfnsf pRr lxd >[vnf ;u} ToxfF a:g] afl;Gbfk|To]If ck|To]If cy{ cfhg{df ko{6gn] ;/f]sf/ /fVb5,

• ko{6g If]q leq klg 3/jf; ko{6g k|ToIf ?kdf;d'bfodf cfwfl/t /x]sf] / ;d'bfosf]hLljsf]kfh{gdf o;n] k|efj kfg]{ ePsf]n] o;nfO{rog ul/Psf] xf],

• ko{6g leq klg sd nufgLdf ug{ ;lsg] / ;Defljtk|ltkmn a9L cfpg] ;+efJotf af]s]sf] 3/af;ko{6gnfO{ :yfgLo /f]huf/Laf6 ul/jL lgjf/0fdf 6]jfk'Ug],

3/af; ko{6g ljsf;nfO{ lsg rog ul/of] <

• o'/f]ksf lxdfnL If]q -cNkfOg_sf hLljsf]kfh{g tyfko{6sLo ljsf; If]qx?df ul/Psf] tflnd, cWoog /cg'ejnfO{ g]kfndf kl/dflh{t ?kdf Jojxf/df nfu" ug{;lsg],

• o; ko{6gn] k|fs[lts / ;+:s[ltsf] ;+/If0fdf ;d'bfonfO{;r]t u/fpg],

• :yfgLo :t/df pknAw /f]huf/Ln] a;fO ;/fOsf] / o'jfzlQm aflx/Lg] qmdnfO{ sd ug{ ;xof]u ug]{

• ljb]zL ko{6s dfq ge}sg :jb]zL ko{6s tyf :s'nsn]hsf ljBfyL{x? ;d]t nfeflGjt x'G5g\ .

• :yfgLo pTkfbgsf] ahf/ tyf vkt:yfgLo :t/d} x'g]

Annex VI : Prospects and Challenges of Homestay in Nepal (Draft paper)

Prospect and Challenges of

HomeStay in Nepal (draft)1

- Prem Sharma, PhD

Abstract: Village/community tourism is a meso tourism concept evolved lately in the tourism world. Nepal can be a model destination of it for she possesses multi-faceted potentialities. Natural gifts, man made heritages ethno-cultural richness, innocent social setting and hospitality and many more unexplored treasures are dreams for connoisseurs of tourism. Village tourism can not prosper sans the convergence of needs of the affluent and the needy based on the premise of demand driven mechanism because it is a need base concept. Nepal can harness the boon of tourist potentiality rampant at the rural areas where government has pro-poor programs. Community tourism is based on 3 pillars- service, facility and attraction. We have only attraction. It’s a business so it must be demand driven and private sector upper hand. Tourism is an enterprise where a big business takes place between two parties and along/among a series of stakeholders. A tourist is a thirsty man with lot of money and curiosity. The two parties' interests converse into satisfaction. A triangulation takes place among three elements- product-entrepreneur-tourists. Sustainable tourism takes place if home grown resources are used and natural setting is preserved. Promotion of tourism highly depends upon the active participation of private sectors and communities where the role of government becomes facilitation.

Keywords: Home-Stay, village tourism, community tourism, eco-tourism, rural tourism, tourism

1 This paper was presented in 'Home stay tourism: Prospects and challenges',

organized by ANMD Nepal on 2nd Oct. 2012 at Nepal Tourism Board


Introduction

A visit of recreation (a journey for pleasure) or in the quest of new knowledge in a new destination beyond one’s inhabitant for a period of day or more is called a tour and financial transaction (business providing accommodation and services for the visitors) is regarded as tourism. ‘Man is always tempted to experience new taste of life in the exotic society’ (Kunwar 1997: Preface). Promotion of such culture is called tourism development and evidence of civilization. It is a business between two or among with more parties/partners, i.e. tourist, tourism entrepreneurs and government.

Rural tourism is a micro-entrepreneurship where communities and individuals are involved and benefited. At the countryside village tourism/community tourism fosters opportunities which help poverty alleviation and generate rural employment opportunities, especially off farm activities. Kunwar says ‘currently promotion of tourism is panacea for employment in economically depressed areas’ (ibid). Village tourism can be promoted at the door step of the locale with a concept or approach of community tourism as commonly known these days 'Home stay'. It will be available in both rural and urban areas.

Nepal can be one of the tourist destinations admitting "macro”, ‘meso” and 'micro' tourism approaches. Nepal has friendly tourist culture 'Atithi deo bhaw' (regard the guests as gods). Internationally, we are known the highest peak of world, Mt. Everest and the birth place of Lord Buddha.

Regionally, Nepal is fortunate to destine between two super marts, adjacent India and China, having largest population, geophysical structure and two digit economic competitions. Locally, Nepal is one of the richest countries in natural beauties with varying ecological belts, bio-diversities, multicultural and ethnographic mosaics. We have unique geographical setting and outstanding natural beauty besides man made arts and architectures. However, most of these potentialities have not been explored and transformed into tourist products. We have abundant raw materials and resources. Nepali lives in villages. Village tourism can be based in special areas, locality, settlement and village with its typical peculiarity because a village possesses varieties or specialties. The development of Nepal cannot be achieved sans rural development. Rural poverty cannot be alleviated without economic development so rural tourism can be one of the activities of rural development in Nepal (Sharma: 2009: 13).

Thus, in such a super tourist destination, perhaps, Nepal or Nepali entrepreneurs do not need markets of third countries and accesses of sea and air routes. Locally and regionally we can easily sell our products. We are not landlocked rather full of resources surrounded with by big immediate markets. Just there is acuteness of political stability, managerial capacity, knowhow and knowledge or skill. Village tourism, though not a new concept, is recently being popular in Nepal. But it has to take root firmly with its typical traits of norms and values. These days, people have err concept about Home-Stay and regarded it as per to usual tourism phenomena that happen at the urban centers or


international and regional destinations. It is a bit typically different from other tourism phenomena that happen. By living with a local family, tourists will get truly experience life in Nepal, i.e., Nepali culture and traditions. It looks as if a relative guest enters to one’s relative home and shares the usual dinner and rests lodging. There a guest finds oneself in the natural setting of rural life, how a typical lifestyle of people takes place. It happens beyond the urban crowd areas. He or she will feel closer to the nature and naturism debunking counterfeits and mechanical lives. A Home-Stay, by its combined words (home stay) is staying in some one's home as a paying guest for short time period. But such guests are provided accommodation and services by individual family and community too. Therefore, the Home-Stay Regulation has accepted it as run (managed) by an individual or community (MOTC 2067).

Potentiality of Home-Stay

Regarding the potentiality, ‘what we do not have’ a question proceeds. But till date we have not been able to demonstrate satisfactorily the actual size and volume of potentialities and usages of the products. Categorically, Nepal has three tourism products, viz., i) international ii) regional, and iii) domestic products; besides, she has human capital and abundant markets. The former two can foster and enhance the domestic destinations. Nepal is visited because of the Mt. Everest expedition and pilgrimage tour to Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. By time factor and economic destination, our close neighbors, especially visitors

from SAARC region and Chinese people, visit Nepal. Besides, our adjacent neighbors, most Asian and Pacific countries where Buddhism is prevalent are our guests. The latest visitors’ trends from China (40,244 up 74.4%) and India (132,652 up 40.5%; arrival by air- 1.2, by land- 4.0 in total 1.9 in 2009) and Sri Lanka revealed that the regional visitors can be sustainable flow in Nepal. The number of domestic tourists across Nepal is also rising. Over the years Nepalese themselves are being turned internal tourists. Some of the destinations such as Manakamna, Muktinath, Bhimeswor, Saileswori, Sworgadwari are few to mention. Tourism awareness among the city dwellers is gradually increasing. It is a sign of life standard change and wellbeing towards national prosperity. These days, most of the local bodies, i.e., DDCs, Municipalities and VDCs have begun to chart out tourism master plan and organizing fairs and festivals (utshavs) for raising tourism awareness and promoting this entrepreneurship.

People of Nepal, either known as Bahadur Gurkhas or ‘Tiger of Snow’, are tourism friendly. Baral discloses that Nepal is first visited by new visitors because of its “natural beauty” and second time they revisit because of the ‘the people’ who allure the visitors with their ‘sweet smile’ and ‘warm hospitality’, the culture of ‘Atithi Deo Bhawa’. He further claims, Nepal has been an important destination since a long time because of its natural diversities, cultural treasury and adventure (2012:35). The scope of tourism depends on exploring, identifying, hither to unexplored and unheralded hidden treasures.


The spontaneously and newly opened Home-Stays are able to attract domestic as well as international tourists, e.g., Ghalew gaon, Tanahushur. Originally, the Ghandruk village, Kaski, enroute to round Annapurna trek and Saurah village, Chitwan sensitized and convinced that such other villages can be tourist destinations. Now it is initiated differently, as Home-Stay, in Sirubari, Syanja. Then it was followed by Ghale gaon, Lwang, Tanahushur, Barpak, Chitlang and Meghauli, etc. A ‘mass participation’ (enthusiasm) in the First National Home-Stay Workshop held in Kapan Kathmandu (15-16 Chaitra 2067) had clearly indicated the prospect of Home-Stay in Nepal. If the government and concerned authorities were aware to manage and encourage those (over two hundred fifty) Home-Stay entrepreneurs, the pace of Home-Stay growth in Nepal could be incredible.

Products of Home-Stay

The word ‘Home-Stay’ is itself a product. Nepal is naturally and culturally rich country. ‘Nepal possesses an immense potential in wide range of tourism products’ (Shrestha2010: foreword}. Nature’s gifts and manmade heritages (arts and artifacts) are found across the country diversely. Subash Niraula acknowledges “naturally Nepal, once is not enough” presents the glimpses of beauty of Nepal (ibid). The culture, traditions, feasts and festivals and their celebrities are found unique in dozens of cast, ethnic groups, and tribes of people. Both Mangolian and Aryan cultures are deep rooted as two religious groups of people, i.e., Hinduism and Buddhism, Gurung, Tamang heritages (Sedai 201:116). Likewise, there is a perfect harmony and tolerance between these two and other religious faiths. Conservation and preservation of those

heritages is a serious matter of concern. The Mansarobar Kailash of Tibet bordered to Humla, the culture of Karnali region (Lama 2012), the Haleshi Mahadev, Khotang (two religious celebrities in one), and Panchpokharai, Sindhupalchowk are visited and celebrated/worshiped fto a solo god by both Hindu and Buddhists. Nepal is more pious land than Jerusalem, Israel. So the pilgrimage sites- temple, monastery, mosque, church are respected and regarded as common faith of all citizen.

Because of the remoteness and rugged topography or physical setting, the country lives of Nepal are visited friendly. Fresh, organic and pollution free rural lives are explorable. Short or long trekking, hiking and camping can be done besides the adventure activities such as bonze jumping, rock climbing,…, lodging and dinner with in typical indigenous cultural program in different ethnic groups/people in different altitudes and eco-regions, i.e., Terain ( Tharu, Dhimal, Danuwar, hill (Chepang, Kusunda, Hayu, Raute- nomad, Guraung, Magar, Tamang culture; mountain (Sherpa. Bhote, Kirat and Bhote cultures are treasures of Home-Stay. Natural sight seeing, sunrise/set, Sriyantu, Nagarkot, bird watch (Koshi Tappu, Saurhawa), rafting (Trishuli, Bhotekoshi and Kaligandaki), kayaking, boating jungle safari, elephant ride, pony ride, mountain bike, fishing, hunting (Dhorpatan), herbal collection, meditation site (Tashi Gumba of Bigu), natural and hydro-therapy such as hot spring bath (Singa, Burunda, Kermi, Tatopani of Jumla and Sindhupalchowk), visit to Kakani for trout fish, fresh strawberry/wine, radish vegetable and potato items, etc. can be few examples to cite of Home-Stay products.


Market Feasibility

There is no problem of market in Nepal regarding the tourism development. Just we need ‘mind and hands’, i.e., knowledge, skill and knowhow. As mentioned earlier we have immediate/adjacent two big neighbors, India and China. And other SAARC countries and pacific countries subsist us. Internally, a sense of domestic tourist culture has been grown over the last decade. Nepal Tourism Year 2011(the first thrust- extend tourism activities in rural are for equitable distribution of benefit) and Visit Lumbini Year 2012 have energized the Nepali people to involve in tourism activities. Minister Bhandari said, the government of Nepal is committed to put tourism industry on track and take this activity to rural areas where tourism has not bee able to reach (NTY-2011). Nepalese are being tourists and indulged in making Nepal as tourism destination. It can be one of the backbones of national economy. Tourism fairs and festivals are being organized. Tourism master plans are being prepared in most of the Local Bodies. Hydro-power generation is feasible only in hill and adequate watered rivers whereas tourism development can be promoted in any part, 75 districts as well as 3 thousand 19 hundred 15 VDCs. If you have creative mind, experience, knowledge and skill, any natural and manmade matters and materials can be transformed into tourist products. It is just to reshape, galvanize and mode change of the existing things. How a family member who always uses potato in his own kitchen asks French fry/finger chips in the restaurant? Why do most people these days visit Sekuwa corners (Bajeko Sekuwa,

Mailako Hansko Chhoila, Dhobighat and enjoy Mangal Bazar Aaloo, Malekhuko machha)? What has hypnotized the valley visitors in such corner and items? It is simply the output of ‘mind and hands’. Therefore, market is there where you have creative skills and knowledge.

Challenges

Universally there can be two challenges. They are mostly temporary in nature.

a) Acuteness of hardware and

b) Software deficiency.

a) The general people understand what is hardware, i.e., things/substance that can be seen directly thru one’s eyes. In development, hardwires are regarded as infrastructures/physical development. It is the base or foundation (premises) of any development. For instance, without the access of road, electricity, communication, transportation one can not establish and promote deliver social services to the people and encourage business establishments. Schools, health post, telephone services, transportation, financial institutions and business centre/bazaar can be developed. However, both hardware and software should move ahead simultaneously. They are interdependent and have to be balanced. Hardware is skeleton/frame or structure of building something. The boon of knowledge, skill and experience can be termed as software in


development (Sharma 2003). It is not directly seen but observed and realized after certain interventions (inner processing) with a program/package of knowledge. You can easily compare with the modern device computer science. Monitor, CPU, key board or laptop which you see in different shape and size but the program which performs processing inside the hardware is called software. Software performs and resolves human needs and problems. Therefore, talking about tourism hardware, one can easily guess what they (facilities) are. Accessibility of transportation modes and means, security establishment, safe drinking water, electricity, health services, food items, recreation facilities, communication access, rescue operation system, etc. these hardware facilities are rare in most parts of the country side and villages. Government and concerned tourism entrepreneurs have to pay attention toward this.

b) The software programs/packages are rarely existed in Nepa, especially countryside. It is more vital and important than that of hardware. No entrepreneur, plan, project or program work devoid of knowledge and skill. Nepalese are friendly, no doubt, honest, sincere and amiable but are they tourism friendly and possessed the knowledge about Home-Stay or tourism? I doubt, there is acute shortage of Home-Stay program. People have compare it as usual tourism

businesses that are being taking place in the international , regional as well as tourism hub areas of the country. There is no program (software) in their hardware (head and mind). They are neither educated themselves nor trained by the concerned authorities such as government, NGos and civil societies. Trainings are must. Though tourism is a business, it is not just a business stall opened at the down town/new road corner. Except a Homesaty Regulation (guideline), on behalf of government adequate hardware and software preparations are not been done. Enthusiastic Home-Stay operators are eager to involve in this business sans both hardware and software facilities and program. Government is lacked behind them. Though efforts are being made by the government and semi-government institutions such as NTB, NATHM, Taragaon, LBs and private sectors, the present plan, program and activities are inadequate and insignificant. Lot of government homework (programs and activities) had to be anticipated before unleashing (intervening) this sector. Especially, local governments’ role is imperative. They have to do a lot for its promotion and success.

The entrepreneurs are less educated about it. They expect more subsidy and facilities provided from the government side. It must be demand driven rather than supply side. Government has to just create a conducive and viable environment


where individual, community and private sectors have to come up with mind and materials. As per envisaged in Tourism Policy 2065 communities, NGOs and private sectors should be encouraged to invest for the promotion of this sector. The role of government is imperative to create backward and forward linkages/network (MOTCA 2065:1).

Conclusion

Tourism involves multi-faceted social, cultural, environmental and economic implications. Home-Stay is a micro tourism entrepreneurship. It is a new concept adopted in Nepal. However, lot of enthusiastic groups (communities) and individuals are eager to run this business sans much idea and knowledge. Government lacks a concerted vision, plan, policy, strategy and program. It has to do a lot of homework because it can be an instrument of poverty alleviation strategy. Diverting international tourists to rural destination Nepal is one of the tourism policies of the government. The conducive has to create rural tourism environment and facilitate communities and private sectors to carry out the business. There are innumerable temporary challenges which can be resolve with appropriate software as well as hardware programs. Nepalese tourism market is big and it has unexhausted products. The concerned stakeholders have to exploit and reap the products. However, most of the products have yet to be explored. Brain drain, youth outmigration, unemployment and underemployment problems can be mitigated with charting out a national policy

where tourism income generation is manageable. Every VDC, at the grass-root level, DDC or state level a master plan is imperative. Then the prospect of Home-Stay is imminent.

The say

I travel across the nation, I see, I feel, I find and assume that Nepal is one of the super power destinations of tourism. Nepal can be unexhausted and renewable haven of tourism industry.


References

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Sharma, Prem (2009). Village Tourism for Poverty Alleviation. Kathmandu: VITOF-Nepal/NTB.

Sharma, Prem (2011). Village Tourism in Nepal. Kathmandu: VITOF-Nepal/NTB. Also see Home-Stay Sanchalan Karyabidhi 2067. Kartik).

Sharma, Prem, “Vikas Tatha Paryatan Parbardan Shambhawana ra Chunoutiharu”, Vikas, Vol. 28, No. 2, (2066/67), Kathmandu: National Planning Commission p.33.

Sharma, Sunil “Community-Based Tourism in Nepal”, Prem Sharma (ed.) (2012). Sustainable Tourism Development. Kathmandu: VITOF-Nepal/NTB.

The Republica, 2012 July 18.

Documents

Homestay Nepal: Opportunities Challenges...Workshop Report Homestay Tourism in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges 2nd October, 2012 Kathmandu, Nepal Alumni Network for Mountain Development