ENHANCING VISITOR EXPERIENCE IN NEPALESE HOMESTAYS: HOSPITALITY, DINING AND INFRASTRUCTURE

This article examines guest experience with Nepalese homestays, with the focal points of hospitality, food and facility satisfaction, by assessing how guests perceive hospitality and food quality and the rating of facilities and services. Carried out in Sirubari (Syangja) and Ghale Gaun (Lamjung), the study used quantitative survey methodology with 89 valid data samples analyzed descriptively using SPSS. Responses showed high ratings in personal hospitality (75.28% “Satisfied”) and food quality (78.65% “Satisfied”) and strong booking ease and pre-test communication (over 98% satisfaction). In-room amenities including electricity (64.37% “Very Satisfied”), water, cleanliness and internet connection received an overall positive response. Transport and infrastructure, however, were major concerns; 32.58% of residents were “Dissatisfied” with transport, and just 2.25% were “Very satisfied” with road connection. Opinions were somewhat divided about comfort-related amenities 21.35% respondents were “Neutral” about bedding and 6.74% were “Dissatisfied”, as were 25.84% respondents about provision of simple facilities like toiletries. Thus, in all likelihood, these infrastructural and amenity deficiencies may be the reason behind such a very short stay duration (averaging only 1.07 days). "Given how enriching and hospitality of Nepalese homestay is, the weaknesses in infrastructure, mainly in transportation and guest comfort seems to be major bottleneck that must be addressed. Specific enhancements in access roads, transport services, bedding quality and delivery of basic services can vastly improve the user-experience, resulting in longer visits to village homestays, and generate stronger ties between rural Nepal and homestay tourism as an economic option. Keywords: Homestay Tourism, Visitor Satisfaction, Hospitality, Rural Tourism Infrastructure, Sustainable Tourism Nepal