SURKHET, June 29: Twenty-five Tharu women of Tilpur in Birendranagar Muncipality-9 have teamed up to start a community homestay facility in their locality.
The women were encouraged to start the venture after then underwent a month-long homestay training organized by Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, Surkhet, with financial assistance of the main branch office of District Cottage and Small Industries Office.
The women have already taken a land plot on lease, agreeing to pay annual rent of Rs 100,000. “As the land has already been arranged, we will start homestay facility from October,” Kamala Chaudhary, one of the members of the team, told Republica. “We will showcase Tharu culture, lifestyle and tradition as well dishes among visitors.”
Tharus make tasty dishes made from fish, crab, snail, mussel, rat, duck and chicken.
Similarly, the community has their own distinct language, songs and dance and attire.
“Visitors can experience all of this in or village,” she said, adding that the team will spare no effort to put Tilpur in country's tourism map.
Chandra Chaudhary, another member of the team, said that Tilpur homestay will be the first homestay facility in the entire Surkhet.
Meanwhile, local stakeholders have expressed commitment to extend all possible support to the women. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the training, Shambhu Prashad Poudel, chief of the branch office of District Cottage and Small Industries Office, said domestic and foreign tourists can be attract to the district through homestay facility. “The homestay will be successful if you showcase Tharu identity before visitors. Also, you should take proper care of hygiene and sanitation,” he added.
President of Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, Tarka Bahadur Shahi, suggested that the local women promote their culture, food and traditions to attract tourists.
HOMESTAY ALLURING TOURISTS
