Baglung homestays dismal

DHORPATAN, Aug 29: The homestays operated in rural areas of Baglung district have turned dismal, as no tourist has turned up here since the beginning of monsoon season.

It was shared that the touristy village witnessed a sharp decline in tourist arrivals since last year. With this, those running homestays have no option but to cultivate fields. 

Even the touristy destinations in the district have turned dreary. 

The homestays are run at a community level in Kathekhola Rural Municipality-3.

Similarly, the tourist destinations in the district are Kalika Temple, a suspension bridge connecting Baglung to Parbat, and Panchakot and Shaligram Museum. These places however have seen few tourists.

The proprietor of the Baldhunga community homestay, Gopal Shris, informed us that they would see the arrival of tourists after two weeks. Tourist arrival since monsoon is rare here. 

According to him, rural roads are damaged and obstructed in many places in the wake of incessant rainfall. It directly hinders the visitors' movement. Shris stressed that road transportation must be safe and credible so that it would help positively homestay business in the district.

The visitors at homestays are provided with organic products. They are delighted with local cuisines such as gundruk, dhindo, mutton, chicken, and delicacies of potato.

Similarly, Muna Thapa Magar, who runs a community homestay at Bhakunde of Baglung Municipality-10, shared that she was waiting for the winter season, which is a vibrant time with the arrival of tourists from different places across the country. But, currently, the season is not favourable. It is cloudy and sight-seeing is hampered.

According to her, visitors' arrival begins gradually after the Teej festival.