The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Community Homestay Network (CHN) officially embarked on their three-year collaborative partnership on 20 July 2021 through the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI). The primary objective behind fostering partnerships is to establish and strengthen community homestays within the Bhutan, India, and Nepal areas of the Kangchenjunga Landscape (KL).
CHN and ICIMOD understand both the socio-economic potentials as well as the vulnerability of traditional rural communities. Recognizing the need for an innovative and sustainable approach to strengthen the well-being of rural people, both CHN and ICIMOD would be working on developing and promoting community-based tourism by capitalizing on homestay as a brand to build the image and competitiveness of these destinations. This collaboration would foster grassroots development, harmony and well-being of the rural communities. Understanding the potential of rural communities, their way of life and their zest for entrepreneurship, we envision adding value to existing tourism products and services by promoting the community homestays while diversifying offerings, developing the capacity of communities and enhancing the experience of clients.
Through this collaborative partnership, CHN and ICIMOD focus on fostering and strengthening national, cross-border, and regional networks of Community Homestays. Mr. Shiva Dhakal, Chairperson of CHN, and Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD, signed the LOI on behalf of their respective organizations.
