Chisapani and Bhirchowk Community Homestays, located in Rupa Municipality (Ward 6), were once a fading dream. Registered a few years ago, both homestays had fallen into disrepair and were no longer functional. Without a reliable source of funding, the local community found themselves unable to even renew their homestay licenses. Despite genuine efforts from the Rural Municipality to revive them, the homestays remained stagnant.
The turning point arrived when SGP-MRC Nepal launched a targeted Agro-Tourism program in the municipality. Initially, convincing the disillusioned homestay committees to try again was a challenging task. However, through persistent community engagement and the promise of structured support, the committees were persuaded, and the homestay registrations were successfully renewed.
Building Capacity and Delivering Quality
To ensure long-term success, MRC Nepal, in close collaboration with the Rural Municipality, implemented a comprehensive capacity-building initiative. This included three specialized training sessions and a two-day observation tour designed to equip homestay owners with the essential skills needed for hospitality management.
Recognizing that high-quality food is central to the homestay experience, SGP-MRC organized an intensive 3-day cookery training program, ensuring that the hosts could confidently provide delicious, hygienic, and authentic local meals.
This holistic approach provided the crucial technical and managerial foundation the community desperately needed.
A Vibrant Revival and Multiplier Effect
The results of this collaborative effort were swift and highly satisfactory. Since their official reinauguration, the homestays have experienced a remarkable transformation. Strategic promotion through social media has significantly increased the flow of guests, including a steady stream of foreign tourists.
In a short period, the revived homestays generated an impressive total revenue of NRs 1,180,000. This income was distributed across various community streams:
- NRs 904,000 from local agricultural products
- NRs 246,000 from food and accommodation
- NRs 20,000 from cultural programs
Beyond immediate financial gains, the agro-tourism initiative has triggered powerful multiplier effects across the community. Local agricultural production has surged, drastically reducing the reliance on imported vegetables. Access to government services has improved, overall community hygiene has elevated, and farmers have notably decreased their use of chemical fertilizers in favor of organic practices.
“A local community can make their dreams come true if there is potential and they are ready to cash in on opportunities.”
Today, 30 trained community members proudly serve as homestay owners, offering a combined capacity of over 80 rooms. Visitors are drawn to the region’s main attractions: mouth-watering organic food, rich Gurung cultural heritage, lush Himalayan greenery, sacred temples, and a pristine environment—all easily accessible via black-topped roads just a short distance from the bustling city of Pokhara.
The Chisapani and Bhirchowk communities remain profoundly thankful to SGP-MRC Nepal and the Rural Municipality. Emboldened by their success, they are now actively seeking further support to systematically expand their operations and construct viewing gardens, solidifying their status as a premier destination for sustainable, community-led agro-tourism.
