Canadian travel advisor joins delegates at community tourism event in Nepal

The Community Homestay Network, a homestay and local experiences operator in Nepal, recently wrapped up its second annual Community Connect event in Kathmandu in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board.

The event was attended by a group of more than 30 international agents and media, as well as local Nepali stakeholders who are working together to implement community tourism initiatives in the country, using tourism as a driver for economic progress and women’s empowerment.

Preceding the Community Connect conference, attendees were given the opportunity to travel on one of three new itineraries being launched to coincide with the event.

The trips are designed to showcase the power of community tourism in tandem with Nepal's cultural and natural beauty.

Representing Canada 

Representing the Canadian travel trade was travel advisor, Aaron Baynton of Wired for Travel, a partner of The Travel Agent Next Door, who says he travelled to Nepal as a second-time visitor, looking to deepen his connection to the country and its people.

“The highlight for me was our homestay in Kiritipur, where not only did the location have stunning views across the Kathmandu Valley, but I was able to connect with my host, Ganga. Making a new friend 12,000km away who calls Nepal home is priceless, and her smile will stay for me for years to come,” Baynton said in a release. 

“For fellow advisors looking to sell this type of travel to their clients, my advice is to qualify them - it really is for customers with an adventurous spirit who are looking to build a greater sense of community through travel - people who thrive on connection. It’s also perfect for those looking to dip their toe in the water with a one- or two-day add-on to an existing trip in Nepal.

“Nepal as a country can be underestimated, and this trip helped affirm why it felt so special to me the first time I travelled there. The hospitality is undeniable, and the richness of the culture is what makes this place so special. My time in Nepal was made so memorable because of the people.”  

Shiva Dhakal, founder of Community Homestay Network, said he intends for the Community Connect event to provide attendees with a stronger understanding of the importance of the organization’s work.

“I would like people to leave with a renewed sense of commitment to co-creating a tourism industry that puts people, the planet, and partnerships at the center of every journey. Together, I believe we can shape a future where travel brings not only joy and discovery, but also dignity and resilience for everyone involved,” said Dhakal.

The three new trips that were announced by Community Homestay Network.  

Experiences include exploring the emerging destination of Narchyang, while cooking local recipes and tasting local wine, connecting with the Aathpahariya culture in Eastern Nepal and promoting sustainability with eco-crafts and water conservation insights in Dhankuta, as well as helping to boost artisans' livelihoods in Bungamati and Bhaktapur by joining craft workshops designed to sustain local traditions.

The new trips are available to book as follows:

• Hidden Gems of the Kathmandu Valley: Culture, Crafts, and Nature - This eight-day trip unveils the soul of Kathmandu Valley through authentic Newari experiences. Travellers will engage with artisans in Bungamati, cook momos in Kirtipur, hike to Nagarkot, and connect with local people via homestays; blending culture, nature and community.
• Rural Life with the Locals: A Journey through Narchyang and Hemjakot - This eight-day journey from Kathmandu to Narchyang and Hemjakot offers hikes to waterfalls and viewpoints, cooking with locals, and homestay experiences, ending leisurely with Pokhara’s lakeside beauty.
• Eastern Nepal: The Road Less Taken - This eight-day Eastern Nepal adventure starts in Kathmandu, journeys to Dhankuta for Aathpahariya homestays and hikes, and ends in Janakpur with Mithila art and a visit to Janaki Temple, blending nature, culture, and sustainability.

For more information, visit here. For sales and agent partnership inquiries and rates, email info@communityhomestay.com.

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