Message from The Charter President
As Charter President, I along with other women entrepreneurs established in 2017, the Tourism Entrepreneurs Women Association Nepal (TEWAN) with the mission of “Equal participation for sustainable tourism”. TEWAN was initiated by a group of women entrepreneurs who are directly and indirectly involved in tourism. The main objective of this organization is to empower women entrepreneurs to develop their potential.
The world is becoming a global village and by nature people are travelers, they are moving from one place to another and creating mixed cultures. Tourism helps to share culture and other resources for fun, pleasure, and adventure. It allows travelers cultural exchange opportunities and unites people from all over the world maintaining peace and harmony.
Tourism is a substantial occupation of the local people in and around Pokhara; it contributes well to Nepal’s economy. Most tourism businesses are run by a family where women play a vital role in running the family business. However, women’s contribution is not always counted. Women are involved in tourism by their own capacities, but do not necessarily have the professional skills.
Lucky Karki Chhetri
Charter President
According to WTTC, (World Travel & Tourism Council) tourism is a large and fast-growing sector, with an average female participation of 55.5 % at the global level, and up to 70% at the regional level. In Nepal, unfortunately, women’s contribution to tourism is not acknowledged in the same way. This means as a nation we are losing the potential of women’s economic empowerment. It is still suppressed by masculine conservative thinking.
As a service-oriented sector, women deserve to take a leadership role in tourism. We are in a transitional period now. The new constitution has addressed some women’s issues. Women should equally participate and reach decision-making positions to break traditional practices to create a New Nepal.