Kathmandu: Three community homestays have been declared ‘Destination Villages’ on the occasion of the 47th World Tourism Day.
The Village Tourism Promotion Forum Nepal (VITOF-Nepal) made the announcement at a programme organized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to mark World Tourism Day. Tourism Minister Khadga Raj Paudel formally declared the three community homestays as destination villages.
According to VITOF-Nepal Chairman Hari Sharan Thapaliya, this year’s selected destinations are Panauti Community Homestay in Panauti Municipality-7, Kavre; Dagam Community Homestay in Shuklagandaki Municipality-2, Tanahun; and Ayodhyapuri Buffer Zone Community Homestay in Madi Municipality-8, Chitwan.
VITOF-Nepal has been declaring promising community homestays and rural destinations as ‘Destination Villages’ every year with the objective of promoting village tourism, economically empowering local communities and expanding tourism activities in rural areas.
VITOF-Nepal First Vice-President Manahari Dahal said the designation is expected to help connect local culture, traditions, arts, cuisine and indigenous lifestyles with tourism, while creating greater income-generation and employment opportunities for local communities.
