Village Tourism Mart to foster rural-urban connection

Gandaki: The Village Tourism Mart kicked off in Pokhara on Friday. Gandaki Province Office of the Nepal Tourism Board organised the mart, where Village Tourism Promotion Forum (VITOF), Gandaki Province, is the co-organiser.

Representatives of 27 homestays operated in Gandaki Province, as well as representatives associated with tourism of Koshi Province and Bandipur, have been participating in the mart.

The homestay owners are briefing about the service they are providing in the market as well as in different discussion sessions related to village tourism.

Inaugurating the Mart, Minister for Industry and Tourism of Gandaki Province, Mitra Lal Basyal, said the development of village tourism is in the government. He also expressed commitment to allocate the necessary budget for the same.

Similarly, the Chief of Nepal Tourism Board, Gandaki Province, Mani Raj Lamichhane, stressed that people from urban areas could visit villages and enjoy homestay service. The mart has been organised to foster rural-urban connection through tourism.

People associated with media, industries and tourism would hold separate discussions and consultations during the event, it is said. VITOF Chair Shova Sapkota expressed the belief that the mart would be useful to make the homestay business effective along with the development of village tourism.

Stating that every village has tourism possibilities, Chairperson of Pokhara Tourism Council, Tara Nath Pahari, said tourism potentials of the villages could be explored through the development of village tourism. The mart will run till Sunday.

RSS