A five-day Tourism Hospitality, Homestay, and Lodge Management Training commenced today in Ghyachok village of Ajirkot Rural Municipality, Gorkha, aiming to strengthen local tourism entrepreneurship and service standards in the region. The training has brought together 26 newly established and potential homestay and lodge operators, including 19 women participants, highlighting strong female participation in local tourism development.
The training is jointly organized by the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Sustainable Tourism Project (STP) in collaboration with Ajirkot Rural Municipality. The STP is a joint initiative of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focusing on promoting inclusive and sustainable tourism across Nepal.
Strengthening Skills for Sustainable Tourism Growth
The primary objective of the training is to enhance vocational, managerial, and leadership skills of emerging homestay and lodge operators in Ghyachok village and the surrounding areas of Ajirkot Rural Municipality, located along the Buddha Himal–Himal Chuli Great Lakes Circuit. Organizers believe the program will help improve service quality, operational efficiency, and overall visitor experience while promoting sustainable tourism practices.
By equipping local operators with practical knowledge in hospitality management, customer service, hygiene, and business operations, the training aims to empower communities to better benefit from tourism and encourage longer tourist stays in the region.
Inaugural Session Highlights Community Collaboration
The training was formally inaugurated through a brief ceremony chaired by Ajirkot Rural Municipality Vice Chairperson Anita Bhujel. The event was attended by TAAN Executive Committee Members Mr. Ambir Bahadur Gurung and Ms. Pabitra Tamang, who participated as special guests and coordinators on behalf of TAAN.
Mr. Dhan Bahadur Gurung, Immediate Past Second Vice President of TAAN, also joined the inaugural session as a special guest, emphasizing the importance of capacity-building initiatives at the grassroots level. The program further witnessed the presence of local ward chairpersons and ward members, reflecting strong local government ownership and community support.
Expert-Led Training Modules
The training features sessions led by experienced resource persons, including Mr. Ajit Acharya, who is providing hands-on instruction in culinary skills and cooking, and Mr. Suraj Bastola of HoFEN, who is conducting sessions on homestay management, marketing, and promotion. The curriculum is designed to combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills relevant to rural hospitality settings. The program is locally coordinated by Mr. Sudeep Neupane, while overall management and facilitation are being handled by TAAN Project Coordinator Mr. Yuba Raj Lama.
Boosting Local Economy and Women’s Participation
Organizers expressed confidence that the training will contribute significantly to local economic development, women’s empowerment, and sustainable tourism growth in Ajirkot Rural Municipality. By strengthening the capacity of homestay and lodge operators, the initiative is expected to improve income opportunities, reduce outward migration, and position the region as an attractive and responsible tourism destination. The five-day training will continue with interactive sessions, practical demonstrations, and discussions focused on building resilient community-based tourism enterprises in the region.
