About Us

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About Us

Since 2017, the Community Homestay Network (CHN) has been redefining tourism in Nepal, connecting travellers with authentic, community-led experiences that empower locals and preserve cultural heritage. Community Connect, our signature yearly event launched in 2024, takes this mission further by inviting selected participants on three transformative trips across Nepal, exploring rural villages, semi-urban gems, and urban hubs. Collaborating with 50 diverse communities, we showcase immersive homestays and artisan experiences, from crafting Newari repoussé in Patan to dancing with Tharu communities in Bardiya, offering unparalleled insights into Nepal’s culture and landscapes.

Recognizing the power of community tourism (CT), Community Connect empowers rural voices, fosters sustainable entrepreneurship, especially for women and youth and diversifies Nepal’s tourism offerings. Each itinerary highlights unique CT products, blending cultural exchange with offbeat travel to leave a positive footprint on destinations and their people. Supporting 361 households and 1,996 beneficiaries, our model ensures economic benefits ripple through communities, backed by comprehensive training in hospitality and co-creation with local stakeholders.

Through exposure trips, we bridge travellers, operators, and creators, showcasing the relevance of sustainable practices firsthand. Honoured by TIME’s ‘World’s Greatest Places 2025’ and the PUM Impact Award 2024, CHN’s Community Connect is your gateway to Nepal’s soul, three unforgettable journeys that empower, connect, and sustain. Join us to experience tourism that transforms lives and celebrates heritage.

Program Schedules

Programme Schedule

Join us at Community Connect: Building Partnership for Community Tourism, where industry experts and community leaders converge to explore sustainable tourism practices. Delve into keynote addresses, panel discussions, and cultural performances showcasing the rich heritage of Nepali communities. Engage in immersive experiences and networking opportunities to foster partnerships and promote responsible tourism.

Panelists

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Ms. Becki Enright

Award-winning travel writer and founder of Borders of Adventure

Award-winning travel writer and founder of Borders of Adventure, focused on responsible and perception-shifting storytelling.  

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Ms. Priyanka Singh

Community Tourism Project Manager, Asia-Pacific, Planeterra

Ms. Priyanka Singh, Regional Manager for Asia-Pacific at Planeterra. A passionate traveler and development practitioner, Priyanka has spent 15 years working with communities across Asia, building tourism models that are authentic, community-owned, and globally connected.  

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Ms. Shradha Shrestha

Nepal Tourism Board, Sr. Manager, Tourism Marketing and Promotion

Ms. Shradha Shrestha, from the Nepal Tourism Board and UNDP’s Sustainable Tourism Project. With nearly two decades of experience in tourism marketing, her work bridges policy, storytelling, and digital innovation—reshaping how Nepal shares its tourism story, locally and globally.

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Ms. Stephanie Hays

Travel advisor

Travel advisor and strategist with 15+ years of global experience in community-based and ethical tourism.    

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Dr. Anu Kumari Lama

ICIMOD

Dr. Anu Kumari Lama, who leads the Sustainable Mountain Tourism Component at ICIMOD. With over 22 years of experience, she’s been instrumental in connecting climate resilience with tourism strategies in Nepal’s most vulnerable mountain regions. She currently leads efforts under Moving Mountains 2030, transforming mountain tourism toward a sustainable, climate-resilient future.

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