For the socio-economic development of the rural areas in South Asian countries, the concept of promoting rural tourism is very much in the air. Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation launched a two-day long workshop on Promoting Rural Tourism in South Asian Countries on June 02, 2016 in Godawari. Inaugurated by Hon’ble Tourism Minister Anand Prasad Pokhrel, the workshop mainly focused on promoting homestay tourism in Nepal. Homestay tourism is vital in eco-friendly tourism promotion, rural poverty alleviation and natural conservation, said the minister in his inaugural speech. Director of the SAARC Secretariat, Tourism Secretary, leaders from various tourism associations, and participants from SAARC member states also spoke on the occasion. NATTA President Madhu Sudan Acharya participated in the day long workshop and shared his views during the deliberations.