KATHMANDU: The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) on Tuesday began a five-day Tourism Hospitality, Homestay and Lodge Management Training in Ghyachok village of Ajirkot Rural Municipality, Gorkha.

A total of 26 newly established and potential homestay and lodge operators, including 19 women, are participating in the training. The programme is jointly organised by TAAN and the Sustainable Tourism Project (STP) in collaboration with Ajirkot Rural Municipality. STP is a joint initiative of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The training aims to enhance vocational, managerial and leadership skills of homestay and lodge operators in Ghyachok and surrounding areas of Ajirkot Rural Municipality along the Buddha Himal–Himalchuli Great Lakes Circuit.

The inaugural programme was chaired by Ajirkot Rural Municipality Vice-Chairperson Anita Bhujel. TAAN Executive Committee Members Ambir Bahadur Gurung and Pabitra Tamang attended as special guests and coordinators, while Immediate Past Second Vice-President of TAAN, Dhan Bahadur Gurung, also participated in the programme. Local ward chairpersons and members were present as well.

Training resource persons include Ajit Acharya for culinary and cooking sessions and Suraj Bastola of HoFEN for homestay management and promotion. The programme is locally coordinated by Sudeep Neupane and managed by TAAN Project Coordinator Yuba Raj Lama.