Shared value with rural communities Richard Hearn
From chance to enterprise The Indian Himalayas Response to cry for help Team of complementary skills Funding, private v institutional Creation of committees, co-operatives, SHGs Business structure; community to holding company
Community development Community tourism structure A growing role for women Inter-village relations Training in hosting, guiding, food & hygiene, housekeeping & accounting
Local economic benefit Guesthouse ownership and business equity Direct & indirect employment Local suppliers
Project to product Community need & will to engage Base line survey Market possibilities Product design for market Route to market
Growing niche of purposeful travel Fostering village life & traditions Cultural exchange at the core Slow journey, deep immersion Desire to repeat experience Sense of privilege
Shared value at the heart of the business Social enterprise Enlightened self interest Community benefit fundamental to company profit
The Projects Binsar Sanctuary Kumaon Hills, India Loss of traditional livelihoods & depopulation through economic migration villages, 5 guest-houses 2011 – 6 th guest-house Walking holidays
The Projects Saryu Valley Kumaon Hills, India Regional Govt policy to generate micro- enterprise in remote hills - partnership villages, 2 guest-houses, 1 tented camp 2012 – 3 rd & 4 th guest-houses Walking & special interest holidays
The Projects Thar Desert Rajasthan, India Individual entrepreneur with social concerns village, 1 guest-house, 1 mobile camp 2012 – 2 nd guest-house Holiday, living/understanding desert life
The Projects Sirsi Spice Gardens Karnataka, India Loss of traditional revenue, spice plantations village, 1 guest-house 2012 – 2 nd guest-house Relaxing holiday, cooking courses, gentle exploration
The Projects Kettuvallam on the backwaters Kerala, India Group of villages by-passed by thriving tourism market villages, 1 house-boat 2012 – 1 guest-house Relaxing holiday, journeying by boat from village to village
The Projects Meket & Tigray Highlands, Ethiopia Working with existing NGO, TESFA villages Meket, 4 guest-houses 2010 – 4 villages Tigray, 4 guest-houses 2012 – raising standards & developing 2 guest-houses Walking & trekking holidays
The Projects Ol Donyo Wasin Northern Rangelands, Kenya Working with NRT conservation trust 2012 – building 2 guest-houses with Samburu communities Walking & discovery holidays
Future challenges Step-up to international business Recruitment Better & stronger administration Training & standards No deflection Work in common with other environmental, conservation & socially focused businesses
& provide economic benefit to the host communities