Impact of Community Homestay in Betini Village A Study of Betini Village, Ward No.2, Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality, Gorkha, Nepal

Abstract

In recent years, homestays have been quite popular in promoting tourism business in many rural areas of Nepal. In homestays, individual families rent their private rooms for tourists and visitors. It has become an important source of livelihood for many families in rural areas where they can generate some income. Unlike hotels run by businesspersons, homestays have been run by local families in their own houses. Homestays are primarily popular in most of the rural areas where hotels are not available. This has helped tourists (domestic and international) to explore local culture, traditions, diversity among others. Guests live with villagers as family members, sharing their kitchen, even daily activities and can feel like a home away from home. They can also engage in daily activities and household chores of local people that provide a memorable experience. This study e x a m i n e s the Betini Community Homestay of Gorkha and its impact on socio- economic and cultural aspects of the community. This research has used a mixed method approach with the use of qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the data. The findings of this study are based on research conducted in all 11 homestay households. Household survey, observation and key informant interviews have conducted in the adjoining community in the study area to meet the objective of this research. The findings of this study are based on both positive and negative impacts on homestay business. The researcher has found the positive economic impact in respondents’ life. In that community homestay business plays a vital role in their community in a sense of economic growth of every household and quality of life. Similarly, local communities were becoming aware of their cultural heritages, its preservation, and development of new local infrastructure. It will be contributing to generate more employment opportunities, infrastructure development and eventually contributing to poverty reduction.