1. Department of History and Culture, Tribhuvan University, Pokhara, Nepal; dinyash.carkey@gmail.com

*             Correspondence: dinyash.carkey@gmail.com

Keywords: homestay tourism, Nepal, Kalabang Gharedi homestay

1. INTRODUCTION

The concept of tourism is as ancient as a history of mankind, people used to travel from one place to another since human civilization for the purpose of food, shelter, recreation, for business, to gain knowledge, for religious purpose, etc. It is being one of the growing industries throughout the world and has been an important sector of national economy.  The word “Tourism” comes from the French word “Tourisme” meaning “The business of guiding or managing tourists for pleasure or recreation. Tourism is leisure travel for fun. “The business of organizing travel and services for people travelling for pleasure” [1].From hunting and gathering to modern tourism, the smokeless industry is one of the largest employers and income generators [2]. Nepal is a tourism hotbed, snow-capped mountains, lakes, rivers, glaciers, flora and fauna, ethnic groups and their cultural diversity, scenic places, green forests, caves, hills, plain land, terrace, and historical monuments make Nepal an exotic tourist destination for domestic and international tourists [3].  Nepal is known for adventure tourism, attracting thousands of climbers to Mount Everest. Nepal also attracts tourists for zip flyers, mountain flights, bungee jumps, paragliding, hiking, rafting, and more. Nepal has beautiful natural resources, the world’s highest mountains, and a vibrant culture. It has over 125 ethnic groups, 123 languages, and diverse lifestyles and traditions. Since the 1950s, Nepalese tourism has grown from mountaineering and trekking to holiday, eco-tourism, village, and pro-poor tourism.  Homestay has become a popular village tourism destination in Nepal [4]. Homestay is new to the Nepalese tourism industry, but we believe in ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, which means guests are treated like gods. We host travelers with food and lodging. Our society now commercializes it. Homestays, where visitors stay at a local’s home for money, are popular [5]. Free stays from one night to a year can be exchanged for money. Homestay tourists are short-term paying guests, homestay tourism serves such tourists.  In community homestay, the community runs the homestay. Nepalese homestays offer unique local experiences of rural lifestyles, diverse ethnic cultures and traditions, scenic natural beauty, historical sites, and cultural sites. The first homestay village in Nepal was Sirubari Village in Syangja District, founded by Captain Rudraman Gurung in 2054 B.S [6]. Homestay is known for polite conversation and family atmosphere.  Nepal’s government promotes homestay tourism for sustainable tourism. The Nepalese government recognized homestay working procedure 2067 in 2067/04/03 B. S to provide local people with self-employment and income opportunities to improve their financial situation [7]. Ninety homestay villages in eleven districts of Gandaki Province will receive one million NPR from the Nepali government. Homestay tourism is key to rural poverty reduction. Trekking, cultural, agro, and ecotourism are included. Working in their village or home can earn them foreign currency. The study examines the history of homestay in Kalabang Gharedi and its impact on community development and rural tourism promotion, given tourism’s role in nation building. Homestay tourism allows visitors to experience rural life by spending time with family and learning about their customs, values, and culture. Nepal is a popular homestay destination due to its culture and geography [8].In Nepal, rich natural and cultural diversity is the biggest opportunity for tourism and homestay development. Mass tourism has failed and homestay tourism has grown due to the unique and exotic social, cultural, warm hospitality and services that are manmade and environmental assets naturally gifted, especially in a mountainous and ethnically diverse country like Nepal. These include Sirubari, Ghalegaun, Lwang Ghalel, Dallagaon, etc. Tourism development in Nepal dates back to the early 1950s following the successful ascent of Mount Annapurna by French mountaineer Maurice Herzog, and 3 years later the successful ascent of Everest, the world’s highest peak, by the Nepalese mountaineer Tenzing Norgey and Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealander [9].  In 1985, the Kathmandu Research Centre carried out a detailed study on the prospects of village tourism in Nepal. Positive suggestions from foreign visitors/tourists paved the way forward to clarify this concept. After a long battle, the government of Nepal included a village tourism program in its tourism policy, 1995. Nepal government’s 9th 5-year plan (1997 to 2002) and 10th 5-year plan (2002 to 2007) gave due consideration to village tourism and promised to establish 14 different village tourism destinations in each geographical region within 5 years [10].  The Maoist-led armed conflict (1996 to 2006) had only minor effects up to 1999 because the insurgency was then largely confined to the western parts of Nepal. The Visit Nepal Year campaign in 1998 also boosted visitor’s numbers. But the royal massacre in June 2000, which coincided with the intensification of the insurgency, caused a rapid decline in tourist arrivals. This decline recovered only after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Maoists and the government in November 2006. Since then, the number of visitors has continued to rebound, albeit with fluctuations [11]. The country marked arrivals of around 5 hundred thousand tourists in 2007 for first time. National and international interest for investment in tourism sectors increased. The Government of Nepal (GoN) then realized to amend the then tourism policy to provide provisions for poverty alleviation and improved quality of life. The government brought new tourism policy in 2008 accordingly [12].  With the objectives to share tourism benefits with the rural community, deliver tourism service with rural participation, improve living standard of rural community through income generation, use self-employment as a tool for rural and local development, inform the tourists about rural traditions, arts, cultures and livelihoods and give them opportunities to experience them, and make arrangement of simple and easy stay for tourists, the GoN issued Homestay Operating Guidelines, 2011 on August 2011 to be effective from September 2011 [14].

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

Tourism involves providing communication and entertainment to visitors for pleasure, recreation, leisure, business, etc. It’s part of modern life. As an ‘Industry’, tourism is traditionally defined by its supply side. Industries are groups of businesses that perform similar economic activities [15]. Without tourists, tourism fails. Because of guest-host relationships, tourism includes tourists. Without one, tourism is incomplete. Travelers can be categorized by their purpose for visiting different places. Pilgrims are tourists who travel for religious reasons [16]. Homestay involves commercializing one’s home for profit, homestays fall between the intimate setting of a friend or family member’s home and the commercial, informal environments of hotels and other conventional lodging facilities. The homestay offers clean, comfortable, and affordable lodging and food to draw tourists from posh and crowded urban areas to a rural area with beautiful natural surroundings [17]. Thus, homestay gives travelers a unique local experience and host family interactions. It allows tourists to explore new and unexplored areas, helping the government promote tourism and provide alternative income to rural people. Iron Age (1200-550 BC) Celt culture in central Europe gave rise to modern homestay tourism [18]. They fed, drank, housed, and entertained strangers who knocked. Even though they had to protect their guests, Celtic hosts could not assault them. They believed God is everywhere and may appear as strangers. Thus, modern homestay tourism began there. The ancient Greeks and Romans also hosted guests as a religious practice or to honor Jupiter, the god of gods. With the fall of the Roman empire [19], roads became unsafe, so people started traveling short distances, few travelled for pleasure, and religious tourists increased. Hospitality and religion interacted again between 768 and 814 AD under Charles the Great. They gave travelers free food and lodging for three nights because they considered guests god’s friends. Middle Easterners also practiced religious hospitality. Travelers received warm hospitality and bed and meals for three days [20]. Hosts’ hospitality becomes demands for money and small business. The exchange for money encouraged European innkeepers to expand. They began offering lodging and meals at their homes. The current B&B concept, which means bed and breakfast, originated in Britain and offers homemade breakfast and lodging to boost family income. It became a global concept in the 15th century. North America and the US are increasingly using boarding houses as tourist homes [21]. Oriental culture treats guests like gods, Hindus believe guests are God and treat them as God, so they say ‘Atithi Davo Bhava’. People used to feed and house travelers. They also built rural houses where travelers could cook and sleep. These factors evolved from the beginning of human civilization to the present to meet traveler needs. Early homestay focused on society’s religion. It evolved into commercial homes, bed and breakfasts, and homestay tourism, which is popular worldwide [22]. Nepal’s government defines homestay as accommodation where hosts provide food, lodging, and other services to guests individually or in community groups, per “homestay working procedure 2067.” Homestay was further divided into two patterns: urban private homestay and village community homestay. Individual hosts run urban homestay programs and can accommodate four guests per day to minimize disruption to the nation’s hotel industry [23]. Village community homestay can be run by multiple people in a group of at least five families. Nepalese homestays focus on small villages where life is still simple and traditional, away from city life. The most popular reasons for community homestay tourism in Nepal are the panoramic landscape, unexplored forests, upland gorges, indigenous cultures, and their unique lifestyle and food in the villages. Most unexplored villages in Nepal have great homestay tourism potential [24]. The Nepal tourism board (NTB) and government have promoted homestay tourism nationwide since 2010. To manage, monitor, and guide homestay stakeholders, the HMC was created. The NTB mobilized the village development community (VDC), district development community (DDC), and local stakeholders like women’s groups, community-level NGOs, and community forest groups to manage homestay facilities and training to ensure rural homestay quality [25]. Government guidelines require host families to give guests a local cultural experience and serve local foods they eat. Homestay hosts must provide a clean, safe, peaceful, and secure environment with adequate bathroom and toilet facilities. In addition to accommodations, community members should welcome tourists with traditional arrangements, entertain them with local cultural performances, participate in traditional functions, and conserve and develop other tourism products for tourists, such as a community forest for jungle safaris, sight-seeing, ethnic museums, handicraft centers, etc. [27]. The guest must also dress appropriately and participate in community cultural functions and ritual programs, per the code of conduct. They cannot pressure the owner for unavailable food, beverage, and facilities. Guests must respectfully eat what the host family offers. They are also warned against unusual behavior like sexual activity that violates local customs [28]. They must enter and leave homes according to the host family’s routine and cannot use psychotropic drugs at home or outside. Both community and individual homestays can be registered at the department of ministry of culture, tourism and civil aviation, Government of Nepal or ministry-related tourism office on the community homestay, an agreement paper signed by at least five community homestay members, national identity cards, legal property papers, and local authority recommendation letters [29]. If all requirements are not met, the related group or person will be given more time to improve and the authorized office will conduct a field visit [30]. The community homestay program requires a “homestay committee board” for proper management. Homestay committee boards are crucial. They oversee community tourism and first hospitality activities for guests. Nepal’s ethical and traditional homestays involve host families living in traditional houses and homestay tourism. Visitors can experience the local social culture and enjoy delicious Nepalese cuisine made from local ingredients in a family-like setting at a Nepalese homestay [31]. Most of Nepal is made up of rural villages with several ethnic groups and their own culture and tradition, so homestay tourism has flourished within a decade of its founding. Homestays are growing nationwide among different ethnic groups. Here are some popular Nepalese homestays. Sirubari, Ghalegaun, Lwang, Thini, Gurja, and Amaltari are Syangja, Lamjung, Kaski, Mustang, Myagdi, and Nawalpur homestays. Captain Rudraman Gurung led Sirubari village to become Nepal’s first model village of homestay tourism in 1997 (2054 BS) [32]. The village is 1610 meters above sea level in Syangja district. The village overlooks white-capped Mount Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchre. The village can be reached by jeep or 4-hour trek from Pokhara Sunauli highway. Traditional Gurung culture is evident throughout the village [33]. The village has 17 homestays out of 39 Sirubari village is a school for homestay hosts from across the nation. All homestay operators in Ghalegaun village provide a warm welcome with traditional dresses. Management arranges guest rooms and transports them home. Homestays exist in 125 households. Ghalegaun festival is held annually in the village to attract national and international tourists. The village was named a SAARC Model Rural Tourism Village by the Nepali government [34]. Lwang village is a popular homestay destination for domestic and international tourists. The village is in Machhapuchre Rural Municipality 8 of Kaski district, 30 km northwest of Nepal’s tourism capital, Pokhara. Thini village has had a homestay. First Thakali and Mustang district homestay (Samadhan 2074) The village is surrounded by Mt. Nilgiri, Dumba Lake, and Gumba Fort, its main attraction. Also on Tilicho trekking route. Gurja village is 67 km from Beni district headquarters in Dhaulagiri rural municipality of Myagdi district on Mt. Gurja, above 2500 meters above sea level. Kalabang Gharedi, a unique homestay village, lies in Pokhara Metropolitan city ward no. 22, Kaski, Gandaki province. It is a beautiful village situated on the lap of Nehal danda, which is 1456 meter above the sea-level [35]. It was in ward no.6 of the then Pumdi Bhumdi village development committee. It is a beautiful village of mixed community of Gurungs, Brahmins and Dalits with 156 households. It consists of 66 household of Dalit with 271 members, 62 households of Gurung with 339 members and 28 household Brahmin with 132 members. It has moderate temperature of 150c to 300c that need all weather blanket in the year. It has favorable climate for human settlement and agriculture [36].  The village offers 18 houses for homestay, eleven of these are from Gurung community, 6 from Brahmin and 1 from Dalit household. In total there are 32 rooms with 85 beds and 6 houses have attached bathroom with hot and cold shower that makes Kalabang special is its authenticity the traditional houses are set amidst a lush backdrop, the food served is organic and the smiles are genuine. Kalabang is a sanctuary from the city, yet explored by few in Pokhara lying at the edge of Pokhara municipality the village borders Fewa lake ridge that forms the border of Syangja district. Geographically it is safe from landslide flood and river as it is slope and terraced land. The village is suitable for beautiful view of Fewa lake, Pokhara city, Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Machhapuchre, M.t Dhaulagiri, Mt. Ganesh, M.t Manaslu, Mt. Nilgiri and hills like Kristi, Sarangkot, Kahundanda, Chapakot, Pame. Mattikhan and Ramkot village. Kalabang is also a birthplace of Amrit Gurung, a lead Vocalist of Nepathay Band and it is just 12.5 km west from Pokhara city with blacktopped road.

3. MATERIALS & METHODS

The study follow the quantitative and descriptive study design In order to collect data primary and secondary data collection techniques was used from Kalabang Gharedi, by using a structured questionnaire and key informant interviews with additional questions. Kalabang Homestay Management Committee, field surveys, and study area observations provide additional data.  District profile Kaski, Nepal tourism board, Ministry of tourism, tourism organisations, and tourism-related published and unpublished books, articles, and research works are the main sources of secondary data, along with internet sources. This study used random and judgmental sampling to collect data from tourists, homestay owners, ethnically diverse locals, local leaders, and other key data are selected intentionally. In order to reduce errors, the collected data were manually rechecked and verified in the field. It was then edited, processed, and classified quantitatively and qualitatively. The Setting of this study was Kaski, a part of Gandaki province is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. The name is disambiguated from Kaskikot, the ancient Kaski kingdom. The district covers area of 2017 square km with the population of 492098 (District profile Kaski 2017:NP). The district lies in the centroid point and on the lap of famous Annapurna Mountain range. The altitude of Kaski ranges from 450 meter (Madi river) to 8099 m highest point Annapurna I) in the Himalaya range, Kaski district political has one metropolitan city, four rural municipalities and 3 election sectors (Kaski in figures, 2017:NP). The majestic view of white mountains on the north side, Seti river gorge, Davis falls, natural caves, the reflection of Machhapuchre on Fewa lake are the main assets that attract tourists. The district is bordered by Lamjung and Tanahun from east, Syangja and Parbat from west, Manang and Myagdi from north and Syangja and Tanahun from south. Pokhara is the district headquarters.

Table 01: Overview of tourist attractions in Kalabang Gharedi Homestay.

S. No	Name of attractions	Category
1.	Nehal danda	Nature
2.	Golghar	Culture/ tradition
3.	Organic coffee farm	Agro tourism
4.	Gumba	Culture/ tradition
5.	Shivalaya Temple	Culture/ tradition
6.	Cultural Programs	Culture/ tradition
7.	Picnic Spot	Special event
8.	Grave yard	Culture
9.	Chautari	Place rest and refreshment
10.	community hall	Special events
11.	Sunrise/sunset view	Nature
12.	mountain, hills view	Nature
13.	Fewa lake and Pokhara view	Nature
14.	Green forest	Nature
15.	Bhayer Than	Culture/ tradition

Next, data were calculated and tabulated. After tabulating data, it was analysed using mathematical operations like comparisons, average percentages, series formation and finding, and row and column filling. Different evaluation and explanation methods were used to determine study results. The final data was interpreted using graphs, charts, and diagrams.

4. RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS

4.1 Kalabang Gharedi as a Homestay Tourism Destination

The homestay in Kalabang is runned by Gurungs, Dalits and Brahmins. Homestays have played an important role by providing opportunity to the people to attend different tourism related and homestay related training programs. It helps to enhance their skills and are improving as they have to deal with various guests. It is playing an important role in making people of Kalabang strong independent, capable and business oriented. Homestay also helps to uplift the status of the people of Kalabang. Kalabang Gharedi Homestay seeks to draw tourists away from the hustle and bustle of Pokhara city and other urban areas to the rural locality with full of splendid natural surroundings, by providing them clean, comfortable and budget friendly accommodation and food. Thus, Kalabang homestay offers the traveler a unique local experience and possibilities of interactions with the host family. It offers the chance to experience new and untapped places and provides alternative source of income to the rural folks. Rich cultural heritage and natural beauty make Kalabang one of the famous destinations for homestay tourism. It has played significant role to attract international tourist in Nepal for rural tourism. Even though Kalabang homestay was started five years ago but the guest flow was raised since the last three years. At the starting two years it was despondent and hopeless. The guest flow was very poor, it may be because of lack of publicity about homestay and the disaster of earthquake in the country. Now the number of guest visit in Kalabang is in ascending order. According to the data in the year 2075 BS. 7253 tourist visited Kalabang. Among them 10% were foreign guests and the rest were internal guests. They are expecting 10 thousand tourists in the village with visit Nepal 2020 campaign. On the weekend there are no rooms available in homestays so guests have to book in advance. The capacity of homestay is 85 beds but they have to manage more than those using extra beds in homestay house and also non homestay households. Sometimes guests have to cancel the booking or postpone for next week or month.

4.2 Salient features of Kalabang Gharedi homestay

The prominent features that attract tourists in Kalabang Gharedi homestay are listed below. The following features make Kalabang a unique homestay in Nepal.

1. Kalabang Gharedi is close from the tourism capital Pokhara city which is only 12.5 km. distance.
2. It is only three hours hiking distance from Pokhara, so Kalabang can be a good choice for a day hiking from Damside Pokhara, Shanti stupa, Pumdikot view tower Kalabang, and up to Tarebhir and down to Pame bazar round to Fewa lake with majestic view of mountain ranges, Fewa lake and Pokhara bazar.
3. It is a mixed community of Gurung, Dalits and Brahmins with their culture and tradition.
4. Many people visit Kalabang to study culture and sociology from various campuses and various universities from Nepal and also from abroad.
5. It is also a school to learn tradition and many people come to visit Kalabang to learn homestay operation and management.
6. Kalabang is a birthplace of Amrit Gurung, a lead vocalist of Nepathay band so it can be a destination for music lovers.
7. Kalabang has its own organic tea and coffee farming project. They serve local coffee to their guests and offer them coffee as gift.
8. There are three community halls for seminars, meeting and ceremonies of a large group up people for those who want to have a peaceful ceremony away from the hustle and bustle of Pokhara city. Kalabang Gharedi is the best choice with well-equipped community hall with all the facilities required.
9. From the top of the village we can see panoramic view of snowcapped mountains, Fewa lake and other green lakes.
10. The traditional round house, which is 110 years old, is the main attraction in Kalabang, many film shooting units also visit Kalabang and the round house for shooting purpose (Shukadev Poudel interview, 2019).

4.3 Greeting the guest in Kalabang Homestay

Most of homestays are operated and managed by a community of single tribe but here the case of Kalabang is different. It is operated by mixed community so culture, traditions language is also different among each other’s in the community. So the welcoming procedure to the guest visiting Kalabang is a mixed combination of Gurung, Brahmin and Dalit culture. Normally guests are welcomed in community hall if they are in a large group. The host members greet the guest saying Namaste with folded hands. They present flowers, garland and play Panche-Baja (a traditional Nepalese music), with welcome drinks i.e. Water, buttermilk or even Narepa. After that guest is served some snacks i.e. popcorn, selroti, pancakes, etc.

Figure 01: Welcoming foreign guest in homestay.

According to Gurung culture, the host especially (lady members) serves Narepa to guest’s mouth with their hands for three times. It is the symbol of humble respect to the guest. It is called Pa Dhoshi culture. Another way of welcoming guest in Kalabang is Ripu Pratha of Gurungs. In this custom guests are given nine layers of thread with nine knots. Nine threads are the symbol of nine planets in the universe. This system is commonly used in welcoming, wedding and showing respect to someone. They have rotation of serving guest among 18 households, so they have equal benefit and income among each other. Sometimes because of the linguistic problems all of the host cannot serve the foreign guest. So they have to give them to other households who can communicate with them.  Some guest may be journalist political media persons, researchers who need special interactions so all the host cannot interact with those type of guests. In this case the guests have to stay in the host’s house who are educated and intellectual persons.  In Kalabang homestay, we can find a pair of tea-table and chair, a mirror, a water jug, a water glass, a mosquito net, a mattress in the room. The guests are served with large sized bed along with white the bed sheet, pillow, blanket, and also a slipper for guest’s convenience. The households have also arranged ceiling electric light. But there are no fans because of the cool weather. The bed sheet and pillow cover are changed every day as required. All the houses have toilet and bathrooms with hot shower. They also serve local food and beverage to the guest on the basis of their demand. They offer charging point for electric gadgets and the mobile recharge cards as well. They organize camp fire, local alcohol and snacks as needed per individual. They also manage cultural programs for the groups if the guests demand. In the morning, the local guide takes guests to the Nehal Danda for sunrise view and also the view of Pokhara city, Fewa Lake and mountains. They have internet facilities in some houses to connect with the world.

4.4 Homestay Package Offered in Kalabang

Table 02: Homestay Package Offered in Kalabang

 Package: I

S.N	For Whom?	Rate (NRS)	Package includes
1.	For Nepalese	900.00	Dinner Bed and Breakfast
2.	For Foreigners	2,000.00	Dinner Bed and Breakfast

Package: II

S.N	For Whom?	Rate (NRS)	Package includes
1.	For Nepalese	1,150.00	Dinner Bed and Breakfast
2.	For Foreigners	2,500.00	Dinner Bed and Breakfast

Package: III

S.N	For Whom?	Rate (NRS)	Package includes
1.	Special Package (only for Nepalese) For Foreigners	2500.00	For a group of no less than 30 people Special food items with unlimited local wine and snacks Lunch: local chicken, buff/mutton Dinner: Sukuti and Dhindo Bed and Breakfast

The table mentioned above shows the rate of different packages with descriptions. One night-stay for a Nepalese tourist with bed, breakfast and dinner cost RS. 900 per head whereas in same package it costs Rs. 2,000 for international tourists. In package II it consists of Bed, breakfast, dinner and lunch with Nrs. 1,150 for Nepalese and Nrs. 2,500 for foreigners. In package III, it is a special package offered only for Nepalese with Rs. 2,500 per pox but the guest sound should be in a group no less than 30 people. They offer special food items with unlimited local wine and snacks as per lunch with local non veg i.e. chicken, buff, mutton of sheep. In dinner they offer Sukuti and Dhindo with bed and Breakfast. They show cultural program with the charge of Rs. 3000 extra per group.

4.5 Routes and means of transport to access in Kalabang Homestay

Guests can take Kathmandu-Pokhara flight to arrive at Pokhara within 30 minutes. From Airport to Chorepatan via Siddhartha highway to Tilahar about 12 km and take right turn to Tilahar through stone paved road about 2 km and we can reach Kalabang Gharedi Homestay. There is a regular bus to Kalabang from Prithivi Chowk which takes about an hour for 12.5 km distance. Bus from Pokhara to Tarebhir via Kalabang also available every day. Another way to access Kalabang on foot from chorepatan through Raniban and then pass World Peace Pagoda (Shanti stupa) and Pumdikot viewpoint with wonderful view of Pokhara, Fewa lake and snowcapped mountains.  It only takes three hours to reach Kalabang village.

Table 03: Routes and means of transport to access in Kalabang Homestay

Route	Distance	Time
Air route (Ktm-Pkr)	–	30min
Bus	12.5 km	1 hour
Hiking	12.5 km	4 h3 3 hours

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4.6 Critical Analysis of Homestay Tourism in Kalabang

4.6.1 Positive Impacts 

Kalabang is a renowned Nepalese homestay destination. Additionally, homestays are rising nationwide. Kalabang homestay may struggle to maintain standards and visitor flow level or increase. The following projects have been developed by the Kalabang Gharedi homestay committee to increase tourism and homestay tourism. Homestay in Kalabang has offered many job prospects. Thus, the homestay’s motto is ‘one house one production’ It appears they have begun bee framing for the train with one hive each house. They will commercialise many agricultural products from different houses. One may grow tomatoes, another green leafy vegetables, fowl for dairy, goats for meat, etc. Vehicle parking is another Kalabang homestay project. Parking cars on the road is unsafe. Visitors can park in Sildanda, walk around the hamlet and hike up to Nehal Danda in 20 minutes. For visitors’ convenience, Kaulepani (Motiraj chowk) to Chalkudanda at the village’s far end will have three or four toilets and the parking lot. Kalabang plans to plant flowers throughout the hamlet. Few benefits of planting flowers include beautifying communities. Flower garlands can welcome and farewell guests, and they are also excellent for beekeeping. 1090-meter-long, 3-meter-wide stone paved stairs from Sildanda to Nehal Danda with five-meter flower gates will be built soon. Homestay developed rural communities. Various communities can activate societies to recognise concept diversity. Kalabang village is a unique Nepali community that promotes indigenous culture. People from other nations, cities, and villages travel to Kalabang to discover true culture and customs. Tourism provides many economic prospects. The Chairman of Kalabang Gharedi homestay, Prakash Gurung, says: “Homestay offers employment for both operators and non-operators because the owner cannot supply all food products. So they must buy from next-door or another neighbour”. Villagers eat vegetables, cereals, grains, pulses, meat, and dairy. Thus, it benefits villagers economically. Homestay offers Kalabang investment potential. This programme returns profits quickly for investors. Thus, homestay programme offers rural residents investment chances. Most Kalabang village homestay operators are Kuwait, Qatar, and Afghanistan veterans. They invested money, skill, expertise, and experience in homestay tourism. Yam Bahadur Gurung of Kalabang Homestay earns at least 15000 Rs. a month from his 3-bed homestay, while Rabindra Gurung earns Rs.80000 from his nine-bed homestay.

4.6.2 Negative impacts 

The homestay tourism has many positive parts which are beneficial for the homestay community as well as the nation but there are some negative impacts of homestay in Kalabang. Due to the increasing number of tourists, environmental pollution is increasing day by day. If the loss of environment is not properly checked, the numbers of visitors will decrease in the long run. Westernization of culture can hamper homestay concept in the long run because people from different countries visit the homestay and the villagers are copying foreign culture, tradition and ignoring their own culture and identity. Another problem of homestay in Kalabang is safety and security. Some of the visitors may visit the homestay with negative intention so sometimes the host doesn’t feel secured. Some guests stay drinking and making noise till late night. The hosts have to wait for them to sleep and also the villagers get disturbed with the noise at night. And also some guests tease and sexually harass the female hosts and other ladies in the village. Therefore, they are losing the privacy in their own home. Kalabang homestays provide supplementary income for the family. Homestays are difficult due to the family’s internal and external issues when operating. Everyone knows the benefits of homestay tourism, but its problems can be fixed. Road and building construction pollutes. Stupid tourists damaging nature or making noise. Imitating foreign culture harms society. The following system and outsider difficulties are beyond homestay households’ control. Limited public transit makes it hard for guests to access the settlement. Their only options are pricey cabs, scheduled public buses, or their own car. Many Kalabang village homes are far apart. Dispersed homestay houses are inconvenient for group guests. Another issue in Kalabang homestay village is house distance.

Figure 02: Traditional houses in the Lower part of village (Gharedi) area

Figure 03: Traditional round house of 110 years old in kalabang

The closest market is Chorepatan or Pokhara, 12.5 miles away. Locals must spend a long time buying food, clothing, and other stuff for guests. Some guests’ behaviour has disturbed homestay hosts. Visitors arrive late. Orders for meals arrive late. This makes host families comply. In winter, guests who drink till midnight upset neighbouring residences and abuse host families. Some guests require mattresses, nearby bathrooms, and ala carte menus, making stays inconvenient. Guest may insist on buying equipment, cultural objects, and vegetables from properties they cannot sell, producing issues. Foreign guests cannot speak English in all homes. They cannot communicate with guests without bilingual guides. Most homestay guests seek local food, vegetables, and poultry. But they’re unavailable off-season and sometimes out of stock peak season. They must shop away from village. Serving authentic local food disappoints guests. The village has a round house, but industrialization has made agricultural equipment, household things, clothes, and ornaments scarce. No museum displays and preserves them. So museums should keep them.  Homes undergo brief culinary, hygiene, sanitation, cleaning, and hospitality instruction. The village is 12.5 km from Pokhara via road. Drive there privately or publicly. Park the car on the road roadside parking is risky. Roadside parking interrupts highway and road traffic.

5. CONCLUSION

Nepal has stunning natural beauty and rich culture. You just need creativity, expertise, and understanding to turn such assets into tourism products. Homestay is a rural tourism and development concept. Villagers must be committed and understanding to make homestays succeed. Villager cooperation is crucial. It boosts rural economies, social capital, and contributions. Rural villages cover about 80% of Nepal. Tourism in Nepal is largely centred on metropolitan regions, however rural places with distinct culture, tradition, and ethnicity provide unlimited possibilities. Mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking, jungle safari, bungee leap, ultra-light flight, mountain flight, zip flyer, and other adventure tourist activities are popular in rural Nepal. The Nepali government promoted homestay tourism in distant locations to build the nation. Kalabang Gharedi village in Kaski district was studied for its homestay tourism history. It fosters self-reliance and communal awareness. Out of 156 homes in Kalabang, 66 are Dalit. There are 18 homestays, although just one is Dalit. Due to social inequality, Dalit participation is minimal. Prakash Chandra Gurung says “from the beginning there is one house of Dalit homestay host but the number is still remaining.” Nepalese visitors still don’t want to stay in Dalit houses, so they wait for international guests. Racism is the main reason Dalit people don’t want to undertake homestay. Homestays in Kalabang are popular in Nepal. It was unable to attract tourists in its first few years, but tourist arrival has surged in recent years and popularity has spread nationally and globally. Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visit annually. According to the report, homestay operators and non-homestay operators have benefited the village. Homestays employ Dalit, Gurung, and Brahmin locals. Most homestay men oversee and take responsibilities, but women also help. Male homestay hosts work abroad or are veterans. Some work for the government and manage homestays. They seem happy with their personality growth, social networking change in lifestyle, and inventive business time use. Some homestay operators are totally dependent on the company, while most use it as a side gig while working in other fields like agriculture.

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