Potentiality and challenges of rural tourism: A case study of Kaulepani, Beshishahar Municipality, Lamjung, Nepal

Abstract

Nepal is one of the most beautiful countries in the world with lofty snow capped mountains and scenic, peaceful settings, making Nepal one of the highly potential countries for world tourist’s destination. Tourism industry is highly growing industry in Nepal as there are lots of places across the country, among them Lamjung district is one of the destination.Lamjung, a district that falls under the western development region, lies in the Gandaki Zone of Nepal. Besishahar is the districts headquarter. This district has lots of rural areas that can be developed as best destination for tourist who wants to enjoy rural life style and scenic beauty. Among those beautiful and highly potential area for rural tourism Beshishahar Munipalicity, Kualepaniarea is one of them, which is around hour away from district headquarter Besishahar. The general objective of the study was to explore tourism potentiality and challenges in Kaulepani area ofLamjung district. Whereas specific objectives of the study were to explore the natural and cultural attractions of this study area, assess the involvement of local people in the tourism industry, analyze the challenges, in order to develop study area as rural tourism destination. This study has been carried out mostly on the basis of exploratory research design,also descriptive method of research design is used in order to describe the findings during the study. Qualitative and quantitative data have been collected for the study using both primary and secondary sources. Of the total households, 14 households having home-stay service, 17 household without having home stay service, 10 representatives from different CBOs,all together 41 respondents has been selected. To collect data, household survey, key informant interview, observation, method have been used and different computer program, simple statistics tools like table, graphs, have been used for data analysis and descriptive methods has been used for qualitative data. A major challenge to develop this area as major tourist destination is lack of proper transportation service. This area also lacks proper exposure as it should have been. The study area has many things to offer to its visitors. I believe that this thesis will contribute in some level for the promotion of the study area as tourist’s destination area, and helps to determine this area as a place having high potentiality for tourism. This study might be useful for the exposure of Kaulepani area and hope that this thesis will contributes to increase the number of tourists in study area.