I was recently in conversation with someone who insinuated sustainability in tourism was not top of mind in India. I attended the Skift Summit where the messaging was highly focused on growth with hardly mention of anything else. I get why this thinking exists.
But having spent 3 weeks in India with colleagues and changemakers, I disagree. Entrepreneurs and small businesses don't have the budgets or platforms that growth-at-all-costs firms do. That doesn't mean there aren't stellar examples of sustainability, alternative narratives, diversification, and a willingness (and eagerness) to address local challenges. A few examples:
> The No Footprints team (Eesha Singh and Harshvardhan Tanwar) challenges the typical India narrative with lots of tours led by people in marginalized communities. I had a chance to hear women's stories from Nizamuddin Basti -- a fab introduction to India.
> Rare India (led by Shoba Rudra) is a community of boutique luxury accommodations -- many of which are revitalized heritage properties -- that prioritize nature, culture, and local communities. I want to give a special shoutout to Bagh Villas | Kanha, where I stayed for five days and literally watched an idea for reducing waste and using locally grown food go from idea to action during my stay. That's walking the talk. I'm also really inspired by the work Akshita Bhanj Deo and her team have done at The Belgadia Palace to prioritize women, in particular.
> Speaking of women, I had a particularly special experience on a tour led by Renu -- one of only a handful of women driving a tuk-tuk in Jaipur -- of Pink City Rickshaw Company. As a woman traveling solo in India, I sometimes felt overwhelmed, and companies like this where women lead experiences are so important in supporting Indian women AND helping all travelers feel more welcome and comfortable.
> It was a huge pleasure meeting Gopinath Parayil of The Blue Yonder in person. Seriously, I don't know that I've ever met anyone with such boundless energy, deep passion, and a profound sense of empathy. Spending time hearing stories from Kerala puts the destination high on my list for my next visit because of Gopi.
> I also *finally* had an IRL lunch with Paras Loomba, Sonal Asgotraa, and Simar Preet Kaur of GHE and Astrostays, social impact companies in Ladakh addressing climate issues, women's empowerment, electrification, education, and so much more. "No one in India who cares about sustainability," they say ... I say, not so much!
This is all to say, the changemakers are there. The people WHO ARE DOING THE WORK are there. They're in India, and they're everywhere. Let's look for them, celebrate them, lift them up. Their voices, experiences, and stories can guide all of us -- even in the face of extreme growth and global challenges.
<Thanks to Gopi for this snap of me with colleagues Shivya Nath and Mariellen Ward at the moment we first met.>
Managing Partner - India | Global Leadership Team member
2moThis is great!