Experiencing biking through a cosy village . Photo by RMT .
Sustainable Growth and Visions for The Future
The concept of community-based travel , upon which CHN builds its working ethics , relies on the concept of sustainable growth . The image of a trekking guide taking the initiative of opening their own homestay network is a perfect example of this , and it closely mirrors Mr . Dhakal ’ s own career ’ s stepping stones . Thinking of the concept of sustainable growth applied to the community as a whole rather than just the individual , CHN ’ s aim is to address some of the issues caused by the inorganic development of mainstream destinations . When destinations become mainstream , they face the risk of becoming overcrowded , oversaturated with activities that are not true to their original identity , and ultimately the charm of that place can get lost amidst the noise of businesses that try to maximize their revenues without giving a single care towards the environment , and the unique identity of the place and its inhabitants . While this may be a way to achieve quick wealth , it is not sustainable in the long run , as standardization and loss of authenticity will ultimately drive visitors away after the initial surge . This fenomena can be seen in certain hill top destinations around Kathmandu . They started off as a single hotel in the midst of a forest , overlooking the Himalayas , but have now been completely urbanized , and the view is lost behind a concrete jungle . This type of development might seem good at first glance , but when truly thinking about it , it is apparent that it is not sustainable . In order for a touristic destination to grow sustainably , the model of CHN serves as a good example . After having assessed that the given location is a suitable place for a touristic operation , the growth of that location will be affected by the means and interests of the people living there . First homestays will be established , as per the 80 / 20 model , part of the revenues will stay with the host family , while the other part will go into the community fund . This fosters a sense of unity as the community will come together and decide on the best way to spend the funds available to them . They could establish a small business that caters to the tourists that visit the homestays , or find more ways for the visitors to pass their time there through creative and unique activities . In the years , this method will ensure that all the operations that are established in the community are mutually beneficial , and they add on to the common vision thelocals have for their community . The problem of overcrowding is tackled as the community will only receive an influx of visitors they can cater to . Not only this , but organic growth keeps the interest of the locals at heart , ensuring that the original charm and beauty does not get suffocated by standardization .
When thinking of long-term sustainable growth , it is impossible not to think of the youth and their involvement . CHN hopes that the repercussions of their incentivising of traditional livelihoods and activities , along with independent thinking can be felt by the youth . A common problem faced by the youth in Nepal is lack of hope when it comes to being financially sufficient by remaining
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