India was singled out as the leading country for Responsible Tourism at last week's WTM Responsible Tourism Awards, with village to village sustainable walking specialist Village Ways (villageways.com), scooping both the Indian and the Global Awards for 'Growing the Local Economic Benefit'.

Launched in 2004, the Responsible Tourism Awards recognise businesses and destinations which are contributing to a more sustainable tourism industry, with winners chosen by a group of industry experts who met online to allow for an internationally diverse panel.

Guests on a Village Ways holiday walk through rural landscapes from village to village with a local guide staying in purpose-built village guesthouses, owned, managed and staffed by the community. While the properties might be described as homestays because they offer the opportunity to experience village life as it is lived today, they are much more than that: guests are hosted by an entire village, rather than just one family, and the income generated by the holidays benefit the wider community. The guesthouses are simple and comfortable, gently reflecting the way the hosts live in their own village houses.

Founded in Binsar in 2005 with just five villages, the company now works with 22 picturesque villages in the Himalayas, Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Nepal, providing employment opportunities for young people who might otherwise have migrated to cities. Tourism income complements rather than replaces other income, so that households do not abandon traditional work such as farming. 

There is great gender inequality in India yet, for over 10 years, Village Ways has helped women into the workforce in a positive, meaningful way, and seen their female tour guides become the breadwinners of their families and community leaders. These women go on to show their friends, daughters and sisters that the same is possible for them. By inviting women into the workforce, there's real potential for lifting whole communities out of poverty; by learning English and gaining confidence, these women are increasing their chance of getting employment – whether that's in the tourism industry or elsewhere.

When tourism stopped during the Covid pandemic, Village Ways developed virtual tours with the help of their village communities. Particularly popular were their online cookery demonstrations, each one attracting around 200 participants. They also closed their UK marketing office, choosing to focus on the Indian domestic market. During the pandemic, Village Ways restructured their business and enhanced the skills of staff in their Mumbai office, to ensure the company would continue to grow in the pandemic. Fortunately for the communities, bookings for domestic guests are once again open, and international guests will be welcomed in 2022.  Bookings are flexible and full refunds are offered for those who have to cancel due to Covid travel bans.

Sample holiday from Village Ways

Into the Pindar Valley, a tailor-made holiday in the Himalayas offers superb locally guided walking in both the Saryu and Pindar Valleys, with fine mountain views, five charming mountain villages, and a night in a safari-style tented camp at 3,000 metres with close-up balcony views of the Himalayan peaks.

Price for 2022: Village Ways (villageways.com) offers 11-nights from £980pp in a party of group of 4-6 (more with 2 people sharing), including 10 nights' full board accommodation (7 in the villages, 1 night in the tented camp and 2 nights at the Khali Estate), return rail from Delhi with 1 overnight journey on the Ranikhet Express from Delhi, 2 nights' guesthouse in Delhi, transfers, guiding and porterage.  International flights (to Delhi) extra.

For further information visit www.villageways.com.

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NOTE TO EDITORS:  Village Ways are currently working on their new website – so please bear with them during this ongoing activity.

PRESS ENQUIRIES:

Richard Hearn

Co-founder, Village Ways,

richard.hearn@me.com 

Or, Julia Spence, Natalie Postlethwaite or Hugh Collins

Julia Spence Public Relations

T: 01491 824524 or M: 07802 443113

Email: juliaspence.pr@gmail.com