In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8, we sat down with our COO, Poonam Gupta, to talk about women’s empowerment, female solo travel and more. Here’s what she had to tell us in terms of empowering women.
What’s your role at Community Homestay?
I ensure that all of the communities running homestays see the maximum benefit from the business and identify the possibilities for growth. I’m always watching for and measuring the social changes that we’re responsible for in the communities.
How many communities are you working in across Nepal?
Our network includes 22 communities and 270 homestay owners. About 359 locals participate in our cultural programs, which offer guided tours, cooking experiences, and other activities for travellers.
How did you first hear about Community Homestay?
My mom is one of 13 women from Panauti who gathered together to establish a homestay there. Most of the women in the group were uneducated and couldn’t speak or understand English. While attending college in the mornings, I assisted my mom during guest visits to our home. Serving as her translator, I became familiar with most of the women in the group, which led to me becoming their spokesperson. I would provide travellers with insights about Panauti and offer guided tours of the town.
What did you think about the experience in the beginning?
Though I was a business student and lacked substantial knowledge about tourism, I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with people from various parts of the world. It allowed me to gain insights into their cultures. After a year or so, we could see its impact on all of us. The most outstanding example for me was my mom. She had become more confident. She was earning her own money and learning English. There were so many positive impacts on both the personal and community level.
Can you talk more about what you saw at the community level?
Yes, there has been a drastic change in the women of my village. They are more confident and outspoken now. Those women who had never been to school can now communicate in English. With the extra income, their living standard has improved. They are sending their children to better schools and colleges. They are now role models and an inspiration to many of the other women who want to step out and do something on their own.
Have you seen the impact spread even beyond the women who run the homestays?
Yes, the impact is on the women and the whole community. Many other locals have new job opportunities as guides, drivers, trainers, and more. We also introduced the 80-20 business module in these communities. Twenty percent of our company profits are set aside in the Community Development Fund, which is used to fund projects for the entire community. This way, it’s not just the families involved in the homestays who see the benefit.
What do you see in Community Homestay’s future?
We’re really focused on community empowerment. We work with rural communities so that we can provide the benefits of tourism directly at the local level. When the women of the community are empowered, their families are empowered, too. Ultimately, it benefits the whole community. We want to empower as many rural communities as we can.
What do you think travellers take away from a homestay experience?
Homestays are a great way to connect with the locals and get to know their lifestyle and culture. Travelers who stay at a hotel don’t see authentic Nepal. They have a lifetime of experience staying with local families.
You’re from Panauti. Why should travellers visit?
About 20 miles outside of Kathmandu, Panauti is one of the oldest towns in Nepal. It’s blessed with mesmerizing natural beauty and authentic culture and history. It’s also both a small town and a village. In just a few minutes, walking through town, you can experience so many different experiences and see so many things. People from different castes, religions, and ethnicities live there, so it’s quite diverse, and travelers can experience all of that culture.
In the spirit of International Women's Day, what are your recommendations for female solo travellers (besides Panauti, of course)?
It depends on what they are interested in. If they want to see more of rural life, they should go to Patlekhet. It’s a picturesque farming village. You can take organic farming classes and then learn to prepare local foods from those ingredients. There’s also a beautiful hike to Namo Buddha, one of the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist sites.
If they are really into nature and wellness, they can visit Nagarkot. Many love to watch the sunrise over the Himalayas from the Nagarkot View Tower. There’s also a great yoga class, and you can hike to a waterfall or visit one of the oldest temples in Nepal, Changunarayan Temple.
Thanks so much for your time, Poonam! To learn more about Community Homestay’s impact, visit https://www.communityhomestay.com/impact.
