The Sayapatri Homestay has been opened in Beni municipality-9 targeting domestic and foreign tourists. With the financial and technical support of an organization called Eco Himal, the homestay has been opened in five houses in the first phase, with a capacity to accommodate 21 people. Sita Khatri, the chairperson of the Sayapatri Community Homestay Group, said that it will expand further in the village with the influx of tourists. Chairperson Khatri said that guests coming to the homestay will be welcomed and original art and culture will be displayed, as well as local products will be promoted as gifts and for sale.
Before the homestay was opened, the villagers were trained to prepare food for the guests by visiting places where Eco Himalaya Kathmandu has excellent homestay programs. Financial assistance of Rs 200,000 was provided to the homestay group and Rs 70,000 to five houses. Narayan Dhakal, the director of Eco Himalaya, said that the structure has been prepared as per the standards of the homestay program.
Beni Municipality Mayor Surat KC said that the operation of homestays in tourist spots within Beni Municipality will help in tourism development. He said that to attract tourists to tourist spots, the first thing to do is to prepare their accommodation and food infrastructure. He believed that the operation of homestays would contribute to the tourism development of Toripani village. He also said that the municipality would provide necessary support for the operation of homestays.
Prof Kurt Luger, Chairperson of Eco Himal Austria, said that tourism development is important for the sustainable development of Nepal. He said that since agricultural production is the main occupation for the development of Nepal and tourism is the second most important occupation, tourism should be developed along with nature conservation.
At the program, TAN Gandaki Chairperson Krishna Prasal Acharya said that the homestay program would be effective for rural tourism development. Acharya said that natural beauty, cultural diversity, as well as being able to offer local products to guests are important for sustainable tourism development. TAN Gandaki also expressed a commitment to support the promotion of tourism in homestays. At the program, Myagdi Chief District Officer Badri Prasad Tiwari, Ward Chairperson Chakra KC and others said that operating homestays would be important for rural tourism development.
Toripani village, located 9 kilometers north of Beni Bazaar, can be reached in 30 minutes by vehicle. From Toripani village, located at an altitude of 1,750 meters above sea level, one can observe the beauty of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri and other mountains. The cultural diversity here, the structure of the Baise Chaubise Kalin state at the head of Toripani village are attractions for tourists. Dholthan, the then capital of the historical Parbat Ravya, can be used to learn about history. The base camp of the world’s seventh highest mountain, Dhaulagiri, and the Dhaulagiri Century Trek are attractive trekking routes for tourists.
Vegetable farming, poultry farming and animal husbandry are being carried out to provide local organic products to domestic and foreign tourists. Toripani village is a famous village for sichuan pepper production that is sold worth millions of rupees every year. The pepper was previously sold for Rs 300 per kilo, and is now being sold for Rs 3,000.
Rashmi Chokhal, a local homestay operator, said that when domestic tourists return from their homestays, they can bring the paper along with hemp seed, soybeans, ghee and vegetables as gifts, which is being produced organically in the village. Beni Municipality-9 Toripani village is famous for sichuan pepper production.
