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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.
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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 ProjectsBinsar Sanctuary • Kumaon Hills, India • Loss of traditional livelihoods & depopulation through economic migration • 2006 - 5 villages, 5 guest-houses • 2011 – 6th guest-house • Walking holidays
The ProjectsSaryu Valley • Kumaon Hills, India • Regional Govt policy to generate micro-enterprise in remote hills - partnership • 2009 - 2 villages, 2 guest-houses, 1 tented camp • 2012 – 3rd & 4th guest-houses • Walking & special interest holidays
The ProjectsThar Desert • Rajasthan, India • Individual entrepreneur with social concerns • 2011 - 1 village, 1 guest-house, 1 mobile camp • 2012 – 2nd guest-house • Holiday, living/understanding desert life
The ProjectsSirsi Spice Gardens • Karnataka, India • Loss of traditional revenue, spice plantations • 2010 - 1 village, 1 guest-house • 2012 – 2nd guest-house • Relaxing holiday, cooking courses, gentle exploration
The ProjectsKettuvallam on the backwaters • Kerala, India • Group of villages by-passed by thriving tourism market • 2011 - 4 villages, 1 house-boat • 2012 – 1 guest-house • Relaxing holiday, journeying by boat from village to village
The ProjectsMeket & Tigray • Highlands, Ethiopia • Working with existing NGO, TESFA • 2008 - 4 villages Meket, 4 guest-houses • 2010 – 4 villages Tigray, 4 guest-houses • 2012 – raising standards & developing 2 guest-houses • Walking & trekking holidays
The ProjectsOl 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