Agro-Tourism in Nepal: An Analysis of Ilam District

Abstract

Visiting a working farm or other agricultural, horticultural, or agro-business operations for fun, education, or to participate in farm activities is known as agro-tourism. Now it is gradually developing as one of the alternative forms of tourism in the world. Today in the countries like USA, Europe, Israel, china and Brazil agro- tourism is well established and marketed. Likewise, at present, Nepal is searching new tourism products for extending the stay of tourists as an alternative form. In this regards, agro tourism can help to some extent as this country in agricultural based with lot of attractions and destinations for promoting this sector. This is a perfect time to search and identify beautiful agricultural landscape, agro-biodiversity and different farming practices in Nepal suitable and potential to integrating tourism. Ilam is widely identified for tea garden and tea production. Apart from that, Ilam is known for its six main cash crops, Aalu, Alainchi, Akabare Khursani, Olan, and Amriso, which all begin with the same vowel sound in Nepali. Thus, it is also known as the district of ‘6’ as. Ilam is also famous for the festivals Asar 15 and Ropai jatra which are directly related to agro activities, they can also be developed as important tourism products. In this case, Ilam has the potential to grow into a significant agro-tourism destination in Nepal because of a number of factors related to agricultural activity. But lacking of proper studies it can’t utilize its potentiality adequately; it is its huge research problem and gap which has been addressed through this study.