This community has started exploring means to live on. And one of these many engagements they are mulling is restarting the Barpak home-stay facilities. Residents are excited as the news of community gatekeepers taking initiative to restart home-stay facility is making rounds.As the epicenter of the Gorkha Earthquake, Barpak continuously grabbed the attention of domestic and international media. In its tragedy, it earned popularity all over the world. Since the tragedy national and international visitors have thronged this beautiful town. Locals now are looking forward to capitalize on the hard-gained popularity by reopening the doors of the houses and tents to guest.
"People are coming here for viewing the Gorkha earthquake epicenter. Some of them come here for conducting research on quake related issues. They are facing difficulties in getting accommodation. If we open up our homes for them to stay, we are sure, their flow would rise," Khemraj Ghale, president of Barpak Tourism Development Committee (BTDC) said. "We have good experience in hospitality and Barpak receives a lot of visitors nowadays. So, we are planning to resume our home-stay services," he added.
Considering its socio-cultural outlook, Barpak was picked up as fine representative example of a typical Nepali village to launch home-stay facilities five years back. The program was participated by 22 houses where each of these houses accommodated four guests.
Post-quake, the village that accommodated 88 guests lost most of the infrastructure. With their home destroyed they were forced into taking shelters into tens, let alone accommodating tourists. "Though earthquake has destroyed Barpak's tourism infrastructure, we are committed to revive them, no matter the challenges that lie ahead" Ghale said adding that Barpak is a place with great scope for tourism activity and home-stay is one of the best options that can help in reviving the community's economy.
In its glory, home-stay business was apparently a remarkable factor in improving life-style of the locals. Their home stay package cost for a single person for a night, including dinner, for domestic tourist was Rs 700 and Rs 1000 for foreign tourists. During the five year period, the village accommodated around 5000 tourists. Such inflow of tourists had provided the village with a sustainable source of income.
Manas Ghale, chairman of Barpak Home-Stay Management Committee, is confident in resuming home-stay services, while claiming that Barpak will benefit from the services than ever with the increased flow of tourists to the village. "Barpak is receiving more tourists than it did in the previous years. But not even a single house in the village has the right infrastructure to serve as a home-stay facility. Community members are coming together and discussions are underway to bring means together for resuming home-stay service," she said adding "If someone comes forward to aid us in reconstructing our home-stay infrastructures, we are confident that we will soon open our doors for guests."
In addition to the previous 22 home-stay provider house-holds, Manas said that they were now mulling on adding more home-stay providers. The proposal is being considered seriously by the stakeholders considering the increased flow of tourists to the locality.
"People in Barpak are happy about the news. Opening ourselves for the tourists will help in changing the face of this place soon," she added.
To manage accommodations for accommodating domestic and international tourists, BTDC is in discussion with various tourism industry entrepreneurs from Pokhara and Kathmandu. It is also mulling on adding popular local dances, Ghatu and Maruni, to its home stay package and is considering means to highlight it as an salient feature in its future marketing campaigns.
Som Thapa, president of Pokhara Tourism Council (PTC) during his recent visit to Barpak accessed the status of the village for restarting home-stay facilities. After discussion with stakeholders, Thapa said that special travel packages could be made for attracting more tourists to Barpak.
"The village can benefit from resuming its home-stay facilities. Ensuring quality services will help in promoting it as a must-visit destination, in the days ahead." He opined that Barpak has potentials to become a tourist destination like the Annapurna region. Similarly, Pokhara Tourism Revival Committtee (PTRC) coordinator Ganesh Bahadur Bhattarai during his visit to Barpak seconded Thapa's opinion and stressed on providing quality services.
"Instead of running a big hotel, it's more beneficial to increase the income through home-stay services in numerous houses. The locals can easily earn income directly just sitting inside their homes. Providing quality services will ensure sustainable income to Barpak families and in establishing the village as a quality tourist destination, he said.
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