Potentiality of Agro-tourism in Nepal: Post COVID-19 perspective

Abstract

Agro-tourism has become an opportunity to increase income for many farmers and agribusinesses across the country. Three main features differentiate agro-tourism from conventional tourism. It allows tourists to experience a real and authentic rural life by participating in farms and different activities. In Nepal, agro-tourism is a very new concept despite the long history of agriculture in the country. There are many potentialities for the agro-tourism industry in Nepal as agriculture has long been rooted in society. Presently, agro-tourism is emerging as an industry in the form of the tourism sector which opens the gateway for visitors to the agriculture farm and ranch. However, COVID-19 has harmed tourism including agro-tourism, but it also realized the importance of agro-tourism. Agro-tourism is continuing to be the backbone of the nation’s economy to some extent. Post-COVID-19 paves the way for agro-tourism development in terms of production and tourism aspects. Particular attention should be paid to improving the infrastructure, institutional framework, marketing and cooperation of all stakeholders in the field.