Nepal, a country renowned for its majestic Himalayas, vibrant cultures, and spiritual magnetism, has evolved into a multi-dimensional travel destination. Beyond its well-trodden trekking trails and heritage cities, one of the most transformative tourism trends in recent decades has been the development of homestay tourism. Homestays, as an alternative to commercial hotels, have empowered rural communities, preserved cultural heritage, and promoted sustainable and inclusive tourism. This article traces the chronological journey of homestay tourism in Nepal and analyzes its current landscape.
The Roots: Ecotourism and Community Participation
The seeds of homestay tourism in Nepal were sown in the late 1980s through the concept of community-based ecotourism. Ghandruk, a scenic Gurung village nestled in the Annapurna Conservation Area, became a pioneering site for this initiative. Managed under the auspices of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), this early experiment introduced the idea that local people could be key custodians and beneficiaries of tourism. The approach combined nature conservation, cultural preservation, and economic development.
By placing communities at the heart of tourism, this model demonstrated how tourism could serve as a tool for rural empowerment rather than exploitation. Although homestays were not formally structured at this stage, the Ghandruk pilot laid the conceptual foundation for future developments.
Timeline of Community Homestay Development in Nepal
Homestay tourism has become an engine of rural transformation in Nepal, evolving from modest conservation efforts to a thriving network of community-powered hospitality across the nation. The table below chronicles major developments—highlighting the communities involved, geographic expansion, and the progression toward sustainable and inclusive tourism.
| Year / Period | Community Homestays & Milestones | Location / Entity | Significance |
| Late 1980s | Community-based ecotourism initiated | Ghandruk (ACAP) | Foundation for participatory tourism[1] |
| 1998 | First structured homestay community | Sirubari, Syangja | First model homestay village[2] |
| 2000 | Cultural immersion homestay started | Ghale Gaun, Lamjung | Gurung cultural tourism[2] |
| 2002–2007 | UNDP-backed homestay proliferation | Mustang, Ilam, | Poverty alleviation through tourism[3] |
| 2008 | Homestays recognized in tourism policy | MoCTCA | Policy-level inclusion[4] |
| 2010 | Homestay directives formalized | Government of Nepal | Legal framework established[5] |
| 2009–2010 | New community homestays | Lwang Ghalel, Bhakunde | Expansion to new hill villages[6] |
| 2011 | Tharu community homestay begins | Dalla, Bardiya | Terai eco-cultural tourism[7] |
| 2012 | CHN founded; new trekking homestay | Panauti, Narchyang | Digital access and offbeat trekking[8] |
| 2013 | Jungle and hill homestays expanded | Amaltari, Patlekhet | Wildlife and cultural blend[8] |
| 2014 | Homestays in eastern Nepal initiated | Shree Antu (Ilam), Namje (Dhankuta) | Tea and Magar heritage tourism[8] |
| 2016 | Homestays legally classified as tourism businesses | Industrial Enterprises Act | Eligible for loans and grants[9] |
| 2019 | Remote homestay expansion | Chillikot, Dang | Mid-west inclusion[10] |
| 2020–2021 | Pandemic pivot to domestic tourism | Nationwide | Hygiene protocols and local marketing[11] |
| 2024 | CHN’s Community Connect & Machhapuchchhre Homestay relaunched | Kaski | Post-COVID revival with 23 organic homes[12] |
This enriched timeline reflects the growing complexity and reach of Nepal’s community homestay movement—from the early days in Sirubari and Ghandruk to recent additions in Eastern and mid-west regions. It demonstrates how policy frameworks, digital platforms like CHN, and renewed post-pandemic resilience have woven a diverse tapestry of community tourism across mountains, hills, and plains.
Conclusion
The history of homestay tourism in Nepal is not merely a record of projects and policies; it is a story of people and places—of ordinary families turning their homes into windows to Nepal’s heart and soul. From the pioneering model in Sirubari to the digital outreach of CHN’s Community Connect, homestays have evolved into more than just lodging—they are powerful tools for cultural preservation, economic inclusion, and responsible travel.
As Nepal continues to position itself as a sustainable tourism destination, investing in the homestay sector—through capacity building, quality assurance, infrastructure, and inclusive governance—will be key. In the face of globalization, climate change, and evolving travel preferences, homestays offer a grounded, human-scale approach that reconnects travelers with authenticity, communities with opportunity, and tourism with purpose.
References
Government of Nepal, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. (2008). Tourism Policy 2008. Kathmandu, Nepal: MoCTCA.
Government of Nepal, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. (2010). Homestay Operation Directives 2010 (2067 B.S.). Kathmandu: MoCTCA.
Nepal Tourism Board. (2019). Homestay Program in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges. Kathmandu: NTB Research Division.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2007). Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Programme: Final Evaluation Report. Kathmandu: UNDP Nepal.
Nepal Rastra Bank. (2021). Impact of Tourism on Rural Economies: A Study on Homestay and Local Enterprises. Kathmandu: NRB Publications.
Shrestha, P. M., & Shrestha, B. R. (2015). Community-based Homestay Tourism in Nepal: Practices and Prospects. The Gaze: Journal of Tourism and Hospitality, 7(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3126/gaze.v7i0.14046
Regmi, R. R. (2020). Rural Tourism and Homestay in Nepal: A Study of Community Empowerment in Sirubari and Ghalegaun. Kathmandu University School of Management (Master’s Thesis).
By: HC Research Team
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