Airbnb and the Self Employed Women’s Association of India (SEWA), an organization representing 1.5 million self-employed women living primarily in rural India, announced the extension of their partnership to SEWA members in Ladakh as hosts on the Airbnb platform. This partnership will expand livelihood opportunities for women in rural Ladakh and be part of wider efforts to rebuild tourism in a way that delivers positive outcomes for communities.
Through this extended partnership, Airbnb will train SEWA members in home sharing, hospitality, quality standards and responsible accommodation practices as part of the “Hum Sab Ek” (We Are One) initiative. , while promoting digital inclusion and allowing these female hosts to connect to a global network of travelers.
Women are an important part of the Airbnb host community in India. As of August 11 of this year, new female hosts in India with a single registration have earned nearly Rs. 30 million since the start of the pandemic and women make up almost 30% of our entire Indian host community. . By sharing the house, female hosts are able to significantly increase their income and some female entrepreneurs have accepted to be full-time hosts.
Ladakh is well known as a pristine and unique hub for culture and ecotourism. SEWA Hosts in Ladakh will provide a unique and immersive experience in the ancient village of Phayang in Leh Ladakh. These hosts will also lead the way in energy efficiency and responsible use of resources with accommodations with amenities such as newly installed solar lights.
This expanded collaboration was announced at a seminar entitled “Ladakh: New Beginnings, New Goals” organized by the Ministry of Tourism of the Government of India. Rupinder Brar, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, said: “The Airbnb-SEWA partnership is a great example of how the benefits of tourism can better serve communities and help rebuild tourism across the country. , especially in Ladakh. The region is a major draw for domestic and international tourists, and these partnerships not only enable a multitude of tourism experiences, but also the economic empowerment of communities using platforms such as Airbnb.
Amanpreet Bajaj, Managing Director – Airbnb India, South East Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said: “We are proud to expand our partnership with SEWA in Ladakh and help local female hosts on Airbnb secure their independence. fundraising and bringing valuable tourism dollars to their communities. As part of our broader efforts to help rebuild tourism to benefit local communities, we aim to work with these micro-entrepreneurs to promote sustainable and responsible travel and stays that contribute to resilient local economies and support the use. Airbnb will continue to work closely with these hostesses through training and sharing of best practices. “
Reema Nanavaty, Director of SEWA, said: “’Hum Sab Ek’ is our rural innovation. We have worked with Airbnb to create meaningful livelihood opportunities for our women members. Gandhiji’s Oceanic Circle perspective advocates helping each other rather than competing. With Airbnb, our goal is to create a strong community of SEWA Hosts who can learn from each other, constantly improve accommodation standards, and together create a more welcoming environment for Indian women in the hospitality industry.
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