While working with my hands at a loom in Kathmandu, I realized that the meditative art of weaving was not what I had hoped for. Instead, as a left-handed person, I was fumbling with getting the warp and weft in the right order, and I found that the malleable water hyacinth I was using was probably too floppy, and To catch him required some dexterity. I was struggling, but I was happy to find my hotel, the Kathmandu Marriott, and something truly local, away from the tourist sites.
read more |Craft tourism for village living: Take a slow holiday this New Year
The experience was courtesy of an hour spent at the Nepal Naucraft Center through Marriott’s Well Travel initiative. Founder Shyam Badan Shrestha explains the impact his organization had made and their various products – all woven from natural fibers such as straw, bamboo and sage. As travelers seek a sense of authenticity, no matter where in the world they’re traveling, hotels and apps are bridging the divide, giving the intrepid the chance to truly engage — whether Be it out of interest and thirst for authenticity or just a chance to show off something different on social media.
Postcard Dining at Gir Wildlife Sanctuary | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“We have seen travel become increasingly purpose-driven and impact-oriented,” says Bart Buring, chief sales and marketing officer for Asia Pacific at Marriott International. According to the 2022 American Express Travel Global Survey, 83% of Millennials are considering the importance of purpose when planning trips and deciding which companies to work with, up from 79% of overall survey respondents. they say. At Urbanot, a discovery platform with local recommendations for travelers, founder Samyukta Ranganathan says, “I think COVID-19 has promoted [experiential travel]And now, I don’t think people are thinking of them as experiences, but as routine activities.
Through the app, users can book everything from a pottery workshop to bespoke meals and unique experiences like swimming in hidden quarry pools in Goa or rafting in the Indus or Zanskar amidst the hustle and bustle of Mumbai. While some create a sense of learning and discovery, most offer an opportunity to get off the beaten path, away from the crowds. For example, Jarir de Vitre, an independent sustainability consultant who has done several Urbanoat experiences in Goa, explains that it is the chance to spend time in small groups and try local, offbeat experiences that appeals to him.
A snapshot from the Nepal Knotcraft Center | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In most cases, these types of activities engage the local community, as Bart notes. He explains, “With Good Travel by Marriott Bonvoy, we worked closely with NGOs and local experts, such as marine biologists and artists, to help curate the custom purpose-driven experiences offered by the program Could Some experiences require a minimal fee to allow these local experts and NGOs to help run the experience in a professional, informative and meaningful way.
His words are borne out by Nimmu House in Ladakh, a boutique property about 45 minutes from Leh. There, the engagement is varied, from local people to guided tours of the village to a deep engagement that is an asset – such as buying vegetables locally. Indrani, host and curator at Nimmu House, says, “After the pandemic, more Indians are taking an interest in walking and hiking. Village Walks are really popular in which someone from the village leads a three-hour walk bringing together personal history and guided narration. The same is echoed by Sanjeev Sharma, general manager of RAAS Devigarh, who points out that after the lockdown, there is a new set of tourists, especially international tourists, who are “very eager to visit the villages and see the life of the villagers”. . Which is possible through village tours led by local people.
Weaving at the Nepal Knotcraft Center | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In addition to wanting to empower the local people, these experiences also want to showcase the destination. While a hotel like Postcard Gir Wildlife Sanctuary offers a safari experience, there is a more local Siddhi Dhamaal dance experience that showcases Nagoma drumming and a tribal fire dance. Akanksha Lamba, Senior V Vice President – Operations, The Postcard Hotels, says, “Each Postcard experience has been conceptualized to provide a true sense of neighborhood and destination. Our dedicated Experiences team begins with an extensive preliminary research- shortlisting the region’s diverse experiences, be it spiritual, cultural, historical, adventure and even wildlife interaction. ,
For me, I left my craft session with no pains knowing the time, dexterity, and skill required to make a simple coaster. I became curious to learn more about the local invasive plant species, while marveling at how much more Kathmandu had to offer than I could have imagined.