Sustaining Village Life

Making Meaningful Connections

In partnership with traditional livelihoods

Sustaining village life

Village Ways, right from its start in the foothills of the Himalayas, determined that sustainability is key to the survival of rural villages, that economic opportunity is best achieved by encouraging and building on the villagers’ own strengths, skills and knowledge to develop enterprise. Working in partnership with the villagers, we encourage low-key tourism that runs alongside, but does not displace, traditional livelihoods. So the farmers keep farming, and do not abandon that livelihood to devote themselves to tourism. it can be a delicate balancing act, but we work hard to get this right.

Creating village ownership

Village Ways works in partnership with each village to establish, develop and manage a unique kind of ethical, responsible tourism. A local tourism enterprise is created with the help of funding through Village Ways, ownership of which is in the hands of villagers. Typically a village-owned guesthouse is at the centre of the enterprise – if you like – a form of ‘home-stay’ offered by the whole village. The village communities have embraced new roles as hosts, guides, cooks with huge heart. They are happy to undertake regular training to improve steadily their new skills, providing you, their guests, with the warmest of welcomes in a delightfully natural way.

Valuing the environment

We all love these places for their natural beauty. Each village has its own special beauty. We work hard together with the village communities to understand the environmental issues that could affect future changes. We are all learning to nurture the traditions and local knowledge that have long allowed the villages to live in balance with their surroundings, and to develop understanding of the changes (positive and negative) that the modern world can bring.

Guides are trained to value and share their knowledge of local flora and fauna. Local craftsmen are encouraged to use traditional skills and materials to build or restore guesthouses and at the same time incorporate energy-saving technology such as solar panels for lighting and heating water.

The result is true and effective ecotourism that cherishes these lovely rural regions of India and Nepal.

Providing economic benefit

Rural communities in fairly remote places often struggle to survive and, as they lose economic viability and their young people head for the cities, so too they lose traditional knowledge and skills.

It is important that the income created through these tourism enterprises is real but supplementary to traditional livelihoods. With more than 15 years experience we are confident that we have had real effect on out-migration and have brought a solid, secondary income stream to the villages. Recognised since 2017 as a leader in Responsible Tourism, in 2021 we won our fourth global Responsible Tourism award for ‘growing economic benefit within the villages’.

The result is true and effective ecotourism that cherishes these lovely rural regions of India and Nepal.

FEATURED IN

hosts, villagers and our guides; what delightful folk

Everyone was so keen and eager to please, the housekeepers, cooks, porters - no exception; all friendly, kind and caring. We were overwhelmed by everyones kindness and warm hospitality. Our guides Sima and Tensing, were both attentive and friendly and their sense of fun infectious.

~ Helen P

Making Meaningful Connections