Homestay makes locals financially self-reliant

By Our Correspondent, Gulmi, Dec. 11:  The local entrepreneurs, who run homestays at Dhunwakhola in Gulmi district, are helping promote tourism and providing job opportunities to the locals. 

Located in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-7, the homestay started by the locals has now become one of the popular village tourism destinations. 

The homestay service has been in operation since 2019 in Dhunwakhola, which is mainly inhabited by Gurung community. There are a total of 76 housholds of Gurung community, 20 families of Chantyal and seven families of Pun Magar residing in the village. 

In the homestay, tourists can get a chance to live in people’s houses and share their meals and experience local life and culture.  The place is full of scenic beauty and the Gurung settlement is the major attraction.  

Arriving tourists get an opportunity to observe the ruins of Siddababa, Kalilek and palace of ancient kings. Tourism has flourished, creating economic opportunities for locals.

Ashish Gurung, secretary of the Dhunwakhola Homestay Management Committee, said the rural municipality had provided special support for the operation of the homestay.

Domestic tourists who visit the homestay from Wareng and other market places can relish the traditional foods of Gurung community, local Raju Gurung said.  The cultural programmes and traditional folk dances are also the major attraction of the homestay. 

Ved Bahadur Thapa Magar, Chairman of Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, said that he stands ready to make the local youth self-reliant by promoting entrepreneurship.

"The rural municipality and the provincial government have already invested Rs. 2.5 million for the operation and promotion of the homestay. The training had also been provided time and again,” said Thapa. 

"We have also constructed a community building and welcome gate for the promotion of homestay,” he added. 

We are working to identify and promote the language, culture, and traditions of the indigenous peoples in the picturesque cultural villages like Dhunwakhola, said Thapa. 

He mentioned that the municipality stands ready to support the development of entrepreneurship in rural areas through homestay.