The Doers Nepal – Nepal’s Longest Running Business Podcast In this roundtable episode, we talk with three incredible women leaders transforming tourism and their communities: - Mrs. Basanti Rana Tharu from Kanchanpur- Kavita Raut Maharjan from Kirtipur- Aayusha Prasain, CEO of the Community Homestay Network (CHN) They share how everyday household skills become thriving businesses and how community homestays empower local women, preserve culture, and support environmental conservation. Key highlights: - Community Homestay Network connects tourists with over 40 community homestays across Nepal, offering unique cultural experiences like momo cooking classes and traditional art workshops. - Basanti Rana community transformed poverty and human-wildlife conflict into a thriving eco-tourism hub around Bardiya National Park. - Kavita Maharjan group use cooking workshops to build financial independence and cultural pride in Kirtipur. - Community Homestay Network operates on a sustainable business model, supporting local entrepreneurship while ensuring fair community benefits. - The podcast explores how community tourism drives women’s empowerment, youth engagement, and sustainable development. Timestamps Part 1 00:00 Highlights01:46 Intro03:40 Mrs. Basanti Rana Tharu Introduction04:31 Mrs. Kabita Raut Maharjan Introduction05:12 Mrs. Aayusha Prasain 06: 07 CHN as an network 06:57 Is Community Homestay a New concept ? 08:50 Kabita’s journey to Kirtipur Homestay13:56 From Training to Earning : Kabita Ji15:58 Link with CHN17:10 Experience and Activities involved in Kirtipur Homestay22:38 Story of Basanti Rana34:50 Experiences and activities in Rana Tharu Community Homestay36:22 Basanti’s Before and After Situation39:13 Kabita’s Before and After Situation47:22 Community Tourism is the thing Part 248:22 Highlights49:31 More Stories of Women in Nepal53:08 Sensitive Toward Community54:12 Community ownership57:29 Revolving around Community58:02 CHN work and RMT01:00:10 How CHN makes money01:03:40 Doing Impact and business together01:05:08 Challenges faced by Mrs. Basanti01:22:08 Enabling environment01:29:38 unique challenges and opportunities 01:33:48 Youth migration reverse01:38:25 Question to education system01:42:22 Skill set differences in men and women01:45:03 Ripple effect and ecosystem01:49:05 Suggestion sharing and Request01:51:41 Organizations Supporting Community Homestay01:53:14 Real Value of Community Homestay01:58:26 Closing ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Want to join us live in the studio as an audience member?Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/xZi8yptyoxkkc6aa8 ✉ Reach out to us at partners@doersnepal.com🎧 Listen on audio platforms: 🎤 Host: Anup GhimireFounder of Doers Nepal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anup-ghimire-9366aa5a 👥 Guests Mrs. Basanti Rana Tharu from KanchanpurKavita Raut Maharjan from KirtipurAayusha Prasain, CEO of the Community Homestay Network (CHN) LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/aayusha-prasain/https://www.linkedin.com/company/communityhomestay-com/  Website: https://communityhomestay.com/  Shiva Dhakal Podcast | Ep. 261https://youtu.be/ZHH21n4pysw   📲 Follow The Doers Nepal:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedoersnepalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedoersnepal 🎬 Production Partner: Viewfinders ProductionInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/viewfindersproduction Need help building a high-quality podcast?They’ve got you covered – from set design and shooting to post-production and guest curation. 📸 Wedding Dreams NepalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingdreamsnepalWebsite: https://weddingdreamsnepal.com📞 Call: +977 9813657889 #TheDoersNepal #GetInspired #Nepal #NepalTourism #WomenLeaders #CommunityTourism #TravelNepal #Homestays