In an effort to boost tourism and create employment opportunities, Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality has been actively promoting homestay tourism. The local government aims to enhance the income of the local community by encouraging homestay operations in key tourist destinations and surrounding villages.
According to the rural municipality office, financial and technical support is being provided to facilitate the establishment of homestays. Chairman of Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality, Dan Bahadur Gurung, stated that significant efforts are being made to promote homestay tourism in various parts of the region. Recently, with municipal funding, 14 traditional homestays have been launched in the historic Gurung village of Ghurkesh in Ward No. 2.
To enhance the skills of homestay operators, a two-day study tour was conducted last Friday and Saturday to Sirubari, Syangja, Nepal’s first homestay village. Chairman Gurung highlighted that the purpose of this visit was to educate local homestay operators on hospitality management and professional homestay operations. Additionally, prior training programs had already been conducted for homestay operators.
Maya Gurung, who has been running a homestay in Ghurkesh for the past two months, shared that the study tour provided valuable insights on how to welcome and host guests effectively. She expressed confidence that the increasing number of homestays in the village has led to a rise in tourist arrivals.
With a growing number of visitors, Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality is further prioritizing homestay tourism development. The municipality is home to several historical and natural attractions, including the ancient Upardang Gadhi fortress, the scenic Sirai Chuli sunrise viewpoint, the revered Ichchhakamana Temple, Balgaureshwari Pathibhara Singhdevi Mai Temple, and the picturesque long waterfall. Adventure tourism activities such as rafting in the Trishuli River also add to the area’s appeal. Additionally, villages like Hattibang, Mayatar, and Ghurkesh are rapidly emerging as sought-after tourist destinations.
Homestays in Upardang Gadhi, Hattibang, Mayatar, and Ghurkesh have become particularly popular among visitors. These accommodations, run by Gurung, Magar, marginalized Chepang, Giri, and Puri communities, offer tourists an opportunity to experience local culture, traditions, and hospitality firsthand.
With the increasing influx of tourists, Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality remains committed to further developing homestay tourism, ensuring sustainable economic benefits for the local communities while promoting the region as a premier travel destination.
