Women in tourism can be game-changers in this sector

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 8, 2021

Airbnb has partnered with the Self-Employed Women’s Association of India (SEWA), an organization representing more than 1.5 million self-employed women living mostly in India’s rural areas. The tourism sector is empowering women by supporting them to become financially independent not only helps generate income but also creates a tremendous engine for social change.

The partnership provides tourists with a unique and authentic experience of culture and heritage. Simultaneously, the women entrepreneurs from even the marginal economic sections are provided with an income source. More than 4500 guests had visited 40 SEWA Homestays from over 15 different countries.

On the 6th of March, a webinar on “Weaving growth of rural India with SEWA & Airbnb India” was organized by the Ministry of Tourism as the 79th webinar under the Dekho Apna Desh Campaign.

The webinar discussed, the empowerment of women through improving the livelihood of self-employed women worker from the informal economy through various initiatives using technology, technical training, microfinance and more.

The webinar was presented by Ms Vineeta Dixit- Head of Public Policy India and Mr Tejasbhai Raval- Technology Head on two of the most successful and oldest members of SEWA who run homestays, Gauriben and Meetaben. They spoke about their experiences for hosting guests in their homestays and how it has benefited them to grow not only economically but technologically, knowledge-wise etc.

Ms Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism emphasized on Vocal for Local initiative of the Government of India and spoke about the life-changing impact that the Dhordo residents experienced when the Prime Minister, who was then the Gujarat Chief Minister created the Tent City at Bhuj after the earthquake at Bhuj in 2001.

In the Statue of Unity location at Kevadia also there are women from neighbouring villages who have formed Self Help Groups and with the support of the State Government are running cafeterias, are the guides and playing many other roles in the tourism sector. Mrs Brar reiterated the Governments vision of furthering women in tourism and that women can be game-changers in this sector in years to come.

The next webinar would be held on 13th March 2021 at 1100 hrs on the cuisines from the North Eastern Region of India.