Responsible Tourism grows as more businesses and destinations take responsibility. I discussed the reasons earlier this month. The ICRT.global’s mission is to support the changemakers by sharing proven examples, sharing experience across continents, providing intensive professional development courses, conferences, and events. The Responsible Tourism Awards discover tried and tested ways in which businesses and destinations can make tourism better for communities, their environment, and culture.
Village Ways was recognised in the Responsible Tourism Awards for Cultural Engagement in 2009. The judges explained why they won in their citation
“These community-owned and managed projects in the Indian Himalayas offer unique and authentic cultural experiences by facilitating mutual cultural engagement at every level. Their work has brought previously vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals from the Dalit community into focus as porters and committee members, while enabling tourists to experience and become part of rural landscapes in non-intrusive and rewarding ways, and make a significant contribution to local economic development in the villages they walk through.”
Village Ways works in partnership with the villagers. Local tourism enterprises are created with the help of funding through Village Ways, ownership of which is in the hands of the village community. Typically, a village-owned guesthouse is at the centre of the enterprise, a form of ‘home-stay’ offered by the whole village. Village Ways was recognised as a leader in Responsible Tourism, and in 2021, they won their fourth global Responsible Tourism award for ‘growing economic benefit within the villages’.
Village Ways was established in 2005, inspired by, and benefiting from, the experience of Inn Travel with many years’ experience of developing and operating walking holidays in Europe.
“Walking in the Himalayas is one of life’s great experiences. Hike from village to village led by a local guide and stay in welcoming village homestays. Enjoy warm, natural hospitality and home cooking. Choose from a range of inspirational routes in two regions of the Indian Himalayas – the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Saryu and Pindar valleys near Tibet.”
Village Ways is about sustaining village communities in the foothills of the Himalayas.
“We will help sustain rural village communities by encouraging and building on the use of their deep local knowledge and their traditional skills to create economic opportunity, and thus make it possible for villagers to remain within their communities rather than migrate to towns in search of employment. We will ensure that wherever possible all necessary work is undertaken by the villagers themselves, and that supplies (food, building materials, furnishings, etc) are sourced locally.”
They encourage guests to respect the traditions and beliefs of their host villagers, and to participate in local activities where possible, and they get repeat visitors who return to assist with the harvest.
Village Ways has just celebrated its 20th anniversary. An article in the Indian Financial Express explains the origin and significance of the business.
“When the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary was created in 1988, it succeeded in protecting the region’s forests and wildlife—but at a human cost. Many villagers, restricted from their traditional forest-based livelihoods, were compelled to leave. Manisha and Himanshu Pande, for whom Khali was home, watched this quiet exodus with concern. Out of their desire to stem this tide of migration—and to bring dignity and opportunity back to local communities—was born the idea of Village Ways, the founders hailing from both India and the UK.
“We wanted to build a model where travel could support rather than disrupt village life,” recalls Manisha. In the early 2000s, they began working with a few nearby villages within the sanctuary to create community-run guesthouses, offering travellers a chance to walk between settlements, stay with local hosts, and experience Kumaoni life as it truly is.”
The impact has been profound. Across its network of partner communities, Village Ways has:
- Created dignified livelihoods that allow people to remain in their ancestral villages.
- Strengthened local economies and infrastructure.
- Promoted gender equality by involving women in decision-making and hospitality.
- Revived traditional crafts, cuisine, and agriculture.
- Fostered environmental awareness among both hosts and guests.
Their model has earned national and international recognition—including awards for responsible tourism—but the true reward, as the Pandes often say, lies in “seeing communities flourish and guests return as friends.”
The partnership between Richard Hearne of Village Ways and the Pandes, the blending of European and Indian Responsible Tourism practices, resulted in a very successful new model, demonstrating the value of sharing and adapting tried and tested approaches.
