On August 14, 2025, the vibrant Tharu village of Barauli in Kawaswoti Municipality, Nawalpur, hosted an inspiring tourism dialogue titled “Paryatan Sambad.” Organized by the Community Homestay Network (CHN) in collaboration with Kawaswoti Municipality, Barauli Ward-15 Office, Nepal Tourism Board, and local tourism stakeholders, the event brought together voices from the grassroots to discuss the future of responsible and community-led tourism in Nepal.
“Paryatan Sambad,” which translates to Tourism Conversation, created an open platform for community members, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and tourism professionals to share experiences and insights about how tourism can drive inclusive development, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation.
The event highlighted how community tourism initiatives supported by the Community Homestay Network are transforming rural destinations across Nepal.
Barauli: A Model for Community-Led Tourism
Barauli has become one of Nepal’s most inspiring examples of community-driven tourism development. With support from the Community Homestay Network, the village began welcoming travelers in 2015, offering authentic cultural experiences rooted in Tharu traditions.
Today, Barauli Community Stay has evolved into a thriving destination where visitors can immerse themselves in authentic village life through community homestay experiences in Nepal.
Travelers visiting Barauli can enjoy:
Traditional Tharu cooking experiences
Cultural performances and local storytelling
Nature walks and wildlife excursions near Chitwan
Staying with welcoming families through the Barauli Community Stay program
This model of tourism allows travelers to connect deeply with the local culture while ensuring that tourism income directly benefits the community.
Since its inception, more than 5,500 travelers have visited the village through the homestay program.
For visitors seeking authentic cultural experiences, exploring community-based travel experiences offered through the Community Homestay Network platform has become an increasingly popular way to travel responsibly in Nepal.
The Ripple Effects of Tourism in Barauli
Tourism in Barauli has sparked remarkable economic and social growth throughout the region.
Growth of Local Tourism Businesses
Community tourism has encouraged entrepreneurship, leading to the creation of 19 new accommodation businesses, including:
Tharu Community Lodge
Mitjyu Cottage
Lamichaur Agro Resort
These enterprises complement the homestay model and provide diverse lodging options for travelers exploring the region.
The growth of these businesses demonstrates how community tourism programs supported by platforms like the Community Homestay Network can stimulate broader economic development beyond homestays.
Rise of Nature-Based Experiences
Tourism has also inspired 12 local entrepreneurs to develop nature-based experiences such as:
Jeep safaris
River boating
Cultural village tours
These experiences allow visitors to explore the landscapes and biodiversity surrounding the village while supporting local livelihoods.
Many of these experiences are integrated into community tourism itineraries developed through the Community Homestay travel network, allowing travelers to discover destinations beyond traditional tourism routes.
Expanding Employment Opportunities
Community tourism has created direct employment for more than 66 locals, while indirectly supporting farmers, artisans, guides, and transportation providers.
Even more impressively, over 21,500 travelers have visited Barauli since 2020, significantly boosting the regional economy and positioning the village as an emerging destination for responsible travel experiences in Nepal.
The continued growth of community-based tourism initiatives promoted through the Community Homestay Network is helping distribute tourism benefits more equitably across rural communities.
Women at the Center of Tourism Transformation
One of the most powerful outcomes of Barauli’s tourism model is women’s empowerment.
Through the Community Homestay Network’s approach, women are placed at the center of the tourism value chain. In many cases, joining the homestay program marked a major milestone for local women, including:
Opening their first bank accounts
Managing their own hospitality businesses
Becoming community entrepreneurs
Today, eight women-led tourism initiatives operate in the region, supporting more than 15 women entrepreneurs.
Programs like the Barauli Community Stay initiative ensure that women are the primary point of contact and income recipients, helping reshape traditional perceptions about women’s roles in local economies.
This model of women-led community tourism promoted through the Community Homestay Network continues to inspire similar initiatives in villages across Nepal
Strengthening Collaboration with Local Government
Paryatan Sambad also served as an important platform for collaboration between local government leaders and tourism stakeholders.
Representatives from Kawaswoti Municipality reaffirmed their commitment to supporting responsible tourism as a key development strategy for the region.
Such partnerships are critical to expanding sustainable tourism initiatives like those supported through the Community Homestay Network platform, which connects travelers directly with community-run tourism experiences.
During the event, a municipal representative shared:
“With continued collaboration and vision, Kawaswoti Municipality holds immense potential to become a pioneer in responsible tourism destination management.”
Why Conversations Like Paryatan Sambad Matter
Events like Paryatan Sambad highlight the importance of dialogue and collaboration in tourism development.
By bringing together community members, tourism businesses, policymakers, and development partners, these conversations help:
Share successful tourism models
Encourage responsible travel practices
Strengthen collaboration between communities and government
Expand opportunities for rural destinations
Through initiatives like these, organizations such as the Community Homestay Network continue to demonstrate how tourism can become a powerful tool for sustainable development and cultural preservation.
Experience Community Tourism in Barauli
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to explore Nepal beyond traditional tourist routes, Barauli offers an unforgettable cultural experience.
Travelers can stay with local families, explore Tharu culture, and support community development by booking through the Barauli Community Stay program.
