Today I Learned...
- Airbnb and Uttarakhand Tourism Board join forces to boost host capabilities in lesser-known destinations, moving beyond popular spots.
- The collaboration aims to highlight offbeat locations, providing travelers with unique cultural experiences and promoting responsible travel practices.
- The partnership focuses on capacity building, homestay integration, and training to empower micro-entrepreneurs in Uttarakhand's tourism sector.
irbnb and the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim of enhancing the capabilities of hosts in lesser-known destinations across the state, moving beyond the popular locales of Rishikesh and Mukhteshwar. Uttarakhand is home to several hidden gems, perfect for a peaceful retreat, and this collaboration seeks to bring attention to these offbeat locations among travelers.
The primary objective of this partnership is to strengthen host capacity in less-explored destinations, encouraging travelers to explore beyond the usual tourist spots. Moreover, the collaboration seeks to offer travelers distinctive cultural experiences, providing insights into the diverse regional traditions of Uttarakhand and promoting responsible travel practices that contribute to the well-being of local communities.
Outlined in the MoU are the key aspects of Airbnb's support for this initiative. The partnership will concentrate on capacity building, integrating homestays into the Airbnb platform, establishing a robust homestay ecosystem, and providing training for seamless integration. Specialized workshops will be conducted for a select group of "model hosts," who will subsequently share their knowledge with their community. Airbnb will conduct a comprehensive review of homestay-specific gaps in the identified pilot destinations, sharing the assessment with UTDB to foster inclusive growth in the region.
Sachin Kurve, Secretary of Tourism and CEO of UTDB, expressed optimism that the partnership would unlock the potential of individuals in the tourism sector to attract guests from India and abroad. The collaboration aims to train micro-entrepreneurs in responsible hosting, hospitality standards, and best practices. Amanpreet Bajaj, General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan at Airbnb, highlighted that the partnership would empower micro-entrepreneurs in the region by providing training and promoting responsible hosting initiatives. Airbnb is excited about working hand-in-hand with the government to onboard homestays in the state onto their platform.
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