Village Tourism: Nepal's Only Hope

IT GOES without saying that in the last decade or so, there has been a noticeable slump in tourist arrivals in Nepal due to various internal and external causes. There can be no doubt that Nepal's tourism industry will in future, still be facing hard times before it can really get back on its feet. However, it will be sensible on the part of the Loktantrik government and concerned uthorities at this point in time to utilize this period following the changed political dispensation in the country, delve deep into past mistakes through objective introspection and work out a dynamic tourism policy best geared to the country's needs and to that of the modern day tourist.

In this context it will be worthwhile to incorporate the findings of a five-month study on Nepal done some time ago by Iris Haltmeier, a research student of Chn Leeuwarden University, Holland, on the village tourism concept. The findings of the study could prove greatly beneficial in formulating a viable tourism policy and charting a course of strategy that Nepal could now follow for the purpose.

The study mentioned above concludes that the village tourism concept is and can indeed be a unique experience for Nepal given its rugged topography and mountainous terrain; it's near sea level flatlands to the highest point on earth. The researcher suggests that it needs to be promoted at all costs especially, as an incentive for domestic and other Asian segments. The case study based in regard to tourists visiting village tourism hotspots in Nepal like Sirubari, Ghandruk and Chisapani shows that a majority of 'village tourists' were highly satisfied with the trip.

The study also suggests that village tourism as a concept suitable to the Nepali context should be further studied and be aggressively marketed with authenticity and promoted as a special interest tours package that includes hardcore professionals like naturalists, anthropologists sociologists and the like.

According to the study, hospitality of the villagers and natural beauty of the surrounding countryside were the major attractions to the 'village tourists' while the local transport and surprisingly, cultural entertainment, were aspects they enjoyed least. Though the local transport aspect being unpopular can well be understood, it would be interesting to know why cultural entertainment as part of the package failed to be an attraction. The view professed by tour operators that cultural troupes and their shows in those areas, like those performed in Kathmandu's star rated hotels, have of late turned noisy and far too commercial needs serious looking into. That such rowdy performances by artists with hideously painted faces do not quite blend with the spirit of the overall village tourism package does seem to make a great deal of sense.

The 'village tourists' also recommended the need for better roads and sanitation facilities, more information, small-scale business and a curb on over development. On the marketing and promotion fronts, the study recommends that the concept be implemented in villages that lie along popular trek routes and that American, Canadian and Asian markets, especially Japan be tapped for the purpose.

The main reason behind why people favour the village tourism concept is to witness the traditional and unspoiled life of the simple village folk. Nepal's tourism industry since its very inception has lacked the much-needed openness to new thoughts and ideas necessary to keep abreast in the cutthroat hospitality front. As a result, we have failed to keep pace with the times and the dynamic trend that keeps the smokeless industry the world over blooming, ever growing and fiercely competitive. In other words, Nepal, even after being in the tourism rat race for decades, has not really heeded to the needs and demands of the modern day traveler and has failed to mould policies according to those needs. Nepal has indeed remained a rigid non-conformist in this regard and failed to outgrow the fact that the country as a tourist destination has far more to offer than the stale outmoded package it has doled out for over half a century!

The heavy concentration of human and material resources and over development of certain urban pockets at the cost of others has done more harm than good and is chiefly responsible for the cut throat competition, price cutting, erosion in the profit margin and as a result, a dangerous compromise in quality among tourism related industries. The main reason for this highly centralized tourism policy lies in our thinking and the fact that a few powerful business houses have for long monopolized Nepal's tourism market. To get out of this vicious cycle that has in all these years taken a heavy toll on the country's economy, the village tourism concept seems to be the only sensible answer and a viable alternative to the policy the country stubbornly adheres to at present.

The Village Tourism concept in itself is actually nothing new. Other South Asian and South East Asian countries have already capitalized on the idea and used it as a viable base to expand, grow wings and take off. In our context, Nepal Village Resorts introduced this product only in 1996 in Sirubari, unfortunately coinciding with that of the start of the Maoist insurgency. Nevertheless, the experience did gradually spread to a few other pockets. Now with the advent of Loktantra and the insurgency, hopefully, coming to an end, the long overdue concept, an ideal for Nepal will take root considering its
rugged topography, the flora and fauna and the unique diversity of its languages, traditions and cultures.

The Sirubari, Ghandruk and Chisapani experiences even for the domestic tourist is culturally rich and provides the opportunity to see other parts of the country and experience the rustic village way of life. For the foreign visitor, as one can well imagine, it is bound to be the experience of a lifetime! However, the village tourism concept, easier said than done, has really to kick off in the true sense and gradually spread as a network to other villages. However, if the concept is really to take off and tourism is really to be the mainstay of the country's economic development, then the country's periodic five year plans will need to change its orientation on lines that Nepal is indeed a land of villages. Unless this is realized by the powers that be, village tourism will remain at best only a concept!

All that the brand new Loktantric government needs to do for now is to lend moral support to the idea and concentrate by way of building infrastructures like roads, air services, whipping up public consciousness, rural water supply and electrification. Foreign aid, though not desirable, can be used moderately in this regard so that we exercise control over things and not the other way round. The concept will thus, not only protect Nepal's unique culture and environment, but also create employment opportunities at the village level. Besides, it will also enable villagers to generate an income on the side that could help them improve their standard of living and contribute to building infrastructures within the village.