Sustainable Livelihood and Ecotourism
Kewzing Village Home Stay – A Model for Sustainable Rural Tourism
In the heart of South Sikkim, the Kewzing Village Home Stay initiative emerges as a remarkable example of sustainable rural tourism. This shows how a small village transformed its socio-economic landscape through community-driven efforts, supported by the Sikkim Development Foundation and the local Kewzing Tourism Development Committee. By integrating cultural preservation, economic development, and environmental conservation, Kewzing offers insightful lessons on fostering sustainable tourism practices that resonate deeply with community values and traditions.
Start Date:
Mar 14, 2002
End Date:
Nov 20, 2003
Area Served:
Kewzing, South Sikkim.
Funded By:
Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific (AFAP)
Role of SF:
Community Mobilization, Training and Capacity Building, Infrastructure Development
Overview
The Kewzing Village Home Stay initiative is a community-based tourism project in South Sikkim aimed at sustainable development, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment. Led by the Sikkim Development Foundation (SF) in collaboration with the Kewzing Tourism Development Committee (KTDC), this initiative offers tourists a unique opportunity to experience authentic Sikkimese village life, while providing alternative livelihoods for the local Bhutia community.
Key Activities & Offerings
Home Stay Experience:
Guests stay with local Bhutia families, gaining an intimate glimpse into their daily lives, culture, and traditions.
Accommodations are simple, comfortable, and include clean sanitary facilities.
Tourists enjoy local cuisine prepared directly in the family kitchens.
Eco & Cultural Tourism Activities:
Includes village hikes, monastery tours, nature walks through cardamom plantations, and bird watching.
Adventure treks to Menam Peak and river picnics at local attractions like Rangit Water World and Ralang Monastery.
Impact & Achievements
Economic Empowerment: Provides income opportunities through home stays and local guided tours.
Youth Employment & Skill Development: Reduces migration by creating jobs in tourism.
Cultural Preservation: Promotes and preserves Bhutia culture and traditions.
Sustainable Tourism & Environmental Conservation: Encourages low-impact tourism and community-led natural resource management.
Challenges & Solutions
Structured Tourism Planning: Overcame the absence of structured initiatives through the formation of KTDC.
Home Stay Tourism Awareness: Addressed through training and workshops.
Marketing and Quality Infrastructure: Enhanced by collaborations and guidance on maintaining standards.
The Role of Sikkim Development Foundation (SF)
Mobilizing & Organizing the Community
SF was instrumental in the formation of KTDC, mobilizing local households to engage in the home stay tourism initiative, which created direct economic benefits for them.
Capacity Building & Training
Conducted comprehensive workshops on home stay management, hospitality, and eco-tourism.
Brought in international experts like Tony Parr to mentor and train the community on best practices in tourism.
Infrastructure & Facility Development
Facilitated assessments and renovations of home stay facilities to elevate the visitor experience.
Standardized pricing and guest services to ensure quality.
Market Linkages & Promotion
Partnered with agencies like Tashila Tours & Travels for broader tourist outreach.
Targeted key markets to attract quality travelers and integrated cultural experiences to enhance Kewzing’s appeal as a rural destination.
Sustainable Development & Environmental Conservation
Designed projects to minimize ecological impacts while maximizing economic benefits, incorporating nature-based activities to promote responsible tourism.
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