Kathmandu, Feb. 18
Nepal’s Community Homestay Network has won the UNWTO Global Startup
Competition for Transforming Tourism under the 'SDG8-Good Jobs and Economic
Growth' segment.
The competition, which was supported by the United Nations Innovation
Network, attracted some 10,000 initial proposals.
From these, the jury chose 25 winners from 18 countries, highlighting the
array of tourism talent in every global region and its widespread ability to
contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said UNWTO in a press
statement the other day.
UNWTO is a United Nations promoted World Tourism Organisation.
Shortlisted finalists were judged according to criteria which included the
potential of the startups to contribute to a specific Goal, their ability to be
scaled-up, and the maturity of both the product and the team behind it.
The 25 winning startups,
selected by a jury made up of leaders from across the tourism sector, offer
distinct solutions for advancing the SDGs.
The Americas led
the way in submitting winning proposals, with nine of the competition winners
coming from the region. Europe provided eight
winners, Asia and the Pacific six, and Africa and the Middle East one
winner each.
Shiva Prasad Dhakal, Founder of Community Homestay Network (CHN), said,
"It's indeed a great honour for the CHN team and our nation in setting the
example and positioning Nepal as the leading destination for Community-Based
Tourism, connecting global-travelers with the real faces of Nepal for an
authentic local travel experience."
According to him, community-based tourism could be the model product for
Nepal to diversify tourism prospects in the rural and emerging tourism
destinations throughout the country, wherein we must embrace sustainable and
responsible practices in its operation and management.
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