A two-day leadership development training program for homestay operators in Gandaki Province has successfully concluded. Held at the Green Himalaya Farm Stay in Bhanu Municipality, Tanahun, the event was organized by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, Gandaki Province, with the participation of 28 individuals from five districts: Manang, Lamjung, Gorkha, Tanahun, and Nawalpur, according to Chief Trainer and Treasurer of the Homestay Federation of Nepal, Suraj Bastola.
The closing ceremony was graced by Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Surendra Raj Pandey, as the chief guest. The program was chaired by the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Mitralal Basyal, and attended by prominent figures, including Provincial Assembly Member Dorna Kumar, Vice Chair of the Policy and Planning Commission Dr. Krishna Chandra Devkota, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Rajendra Dev Pandey, Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism Kuman Singh Gurung, and other officials. The event was coordinated by Hima Pokharel, Chief of the Tourism Division.
Gandaki Province: A Hub for Homestay Tourism
Homestay programs, a cornerstone of Nepal’s rural tourism promotion strategy, have been instrumental in sustainable community-based tourism development since their institutionalization in 2067 BS. These programs have enabled rural communities to tap into their tourism potential, creating opportunities for economic growth, capacity building, and cultural preservation.
Through homestays, local households provide tourists with authentic experiences of rural life, fostering a cultural exchange that promotes gender equality, women’s empowerment, awareness, hygiene, and conservation of natural and cultural heritage. Moreover, the initiative has contributed to the development of infrastructure and the local economy, with over 1,200 villages across Nepal embracing this model to achieve sustainable livelihoods.
Homestays Flourishing in Gandaki Province
As the epicenter of Nepal’s homestay tourism, Gandaki Province boasts 332 formally registered community homestays across its 11 districts, with an additional 300 informal and private homestays in operation. According to Jaganivas Bhandari, Section Officer of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism and the program coordinator, Gandaki Province continues to lead efforts in homestay tourism, ensuring sustainable growth and promoting rural tourism as a means to uplift local communities.
This training program further reinforces Gandaki Province’s commitment to enhancing the leadership and operational capabilities of homestay operators, ensuring they can adapt to evolving tourism dynamics and provide exceptional experiences for visitors. The success of the training marks a step forward in realizing the potential of community-based tourism as a sustainable economic model, strengthening Gandaki Province’s position as the homestay capital of Nepal.
