Project Partners:

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• Designing & Implementing Partner: Impact Investors

• Supporting Partner: Indian Army (Operation Sadbhavana)

 

Project Location: Menchuka, West Siang, Arunachal Pradesh, India

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Project Date: November 2024

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Target Beneficiaries: The training brought together 25 higher secondary students, studying across various streams including Tourism, IT, and Design. The participants from across four major tribes in the region also included aspiring and experienced homestay owners and tourism professionals seeking to improve their hospitality practices and adopt responsible tourism approaches.

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Purpose:

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The purpose of the training was to expose students pursuing higher education and at the threshold of starting their careers to the diverse entrepreneurial opportunities available in and around the tourism sector. Additionally, it aimed to transform existing tourism styles into sustainable tourism practices, introduce eco-tourism principles within the well-established yet congested tourism landscape of Menchuka, and cultivate awareness on the conservation of ecology and culture among the local community.​​​

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Approach:

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The training emphasised transitioning from mass tourism to a low-volume, high-impact tourism model, prioritising quality over quantity. It adopted an experiential, field-based and observation-based approach, incorporating exposure visits, practical assignments, project-based learning, and presentations to inspire ideation, strategic planning, and innovations that supplement the flourishing tourism ecosystem with essential ecological conservation practices.

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The program enabled experiential learning through collaborative activities, peer-to-peer learning, and hands-on experiences at cultural sites. Participants engaged in simulated scenarios, daily reflection, and community-based projects, developing essential skills for a sustainable tourism future.