Problems and potentialities of village tourism in Nepal ( A case study of Lele village of Lalitpur District)

Abstract

Tourism is one of the leading industries in the world where as Nepal is certainly not at a position to avoid its benefits. Nepal is country made of villages where more than 86% peoples live in the village. Tourism is such an investment which can provide immense benefit to countries comparatively at a low cost. Village tourism is newly developing concept in tourism where tourist can feel and experience the life style of local culture, nature and environment. The concept of village tourism had been emerged by Dr. Surendra Bhakta Pradhananga, who is known as father of village tourism in Nepal. This study is made in Lele VDC in Lalitpur district with the general objectives of analysis of potentiality of village tourism in the study area and its problem and prospects. This study is based on both primary and secondary data. Lele village offers its traditional cultural life style, scenic beauty and hospitality to tourists. This study has tried to assess the tourism related knowledge among the locals, socio economic status problems and prospects of village tourism. Total number of population recorded in Lele is 8411. Economy of the area is agro-based. This study has adopted explorative as well as descriptive research design and has analyzed with both qualitative and quantitative approach. Both primary and secondary data has been used as a source for the analysis. Basic infrastructures such as roads, communication, drinking water supply, health service and security measures are in existence. However they need to be upgraded. Based on the attractions available at Lele associated activities for the tourists are envisage being trekking/hiking, cultural program, picnicking, home stay trip and mountain biking. There is no official record available of the tourist visit Lele. So, this is necessary for making future plan related with the tourism in the study area. Knowledgeable local tour guides were not found in village. So, training programs about tourist guide should be launched because presence of local tour guide would increase the length of the tourists stay in the village and locals could benefit from tourism to make it more sustainable. People are not engaged in producing handicraft which is very necessary and important in order to directly benefit the local. Documentation of various functional groups, like handicraft production group, lodge management committee and environment awareness group would further support the management for sustainable tourism in Lele. It has been recommended that access of road needs to be improved to make Lele reachable round the year. It is recommended that home stay management system should be initiated to make locals to benefit more from tourism. The awareness about the importance of tourism should be flourished in rural areas of Nepal like Lele by providing the effective trainings.