The Intrepid Foundation, a non-profit arm of Intrepid Travel- the world’s largest adventure tourism experience provider announced the launch and flag-off of Holy City Rickshaws to promote sustainable travel and tourism in Varanasi.
The initiative will have ten e-rickshaws in partnership with ACCESS Development, a not-for-profit organization that female drivers in Varanasi will drive. The Holy City Rickshaw company in Varanasi marks a significant milestone in Intrepid’s commitment to sustainable tourism and empowering the local community. This initiative, a collaboration between The Intrepid Foundation and ACCESS Development Services, aims to provide aspirational employment opportunities to women from low-income households in Varanasi. Intrepid is promoting eco-friendly transportation and supporting cultural preservation in one of India’s most sacred cities through this initiative.
Holy City Rickshaw Program will train women to drive and maintain e-rickshaws for city tours and support them with financial and business literacy. The female-led tours will be incorporated into several of Intrepid’s India trip itineraries, providing a greener mode of transport for travellers to explore local neighbourhoods and interact with the community.
The Flag-off ceremony was held at IUCTE, Sundar Bagia, Naria-BLW Road, Varanasi in the presence of eminent personalities including Rajendra Kumar Rawat, Deputy Director, Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department and Prof. Prem Narayan Singh – Director, IUCTE, BHU, Varanasi and others. Also, Biheng Zhang – General Manager, The Intrepid Foundation and Rama Mahendru- Country General Manager- India, Intrepid Travel were present at the occasion.
The Intrepid Foundation, Intrepid Travel’s non-profit, was created in 2002 to empower travellers to give back. Connecting people and communities around the world, The Intrepid Foundation allows travellers to support impact partners in the places they’ve visited. With Intrepid operating in more than 100 countries, Intrepid is backed by local knowledge and advice, helps identify where change is needed and carefully select partners in their local areas who are making that change happen.
ACCESS Development Services is a national livelihoods support organization with focus on incubating innovations for sustainable livelihoods of the poor in both farm and the non-farm sectors. Rama Mahendru, Country General Manager – India at Intrepid Travel said: “The e-rickshaw initiative reflects Intrepid’s ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism and empowering women in the local community. The project aims to support greater female economic inclusion in India and we’re working hard to achieve balanced female tour leadership and enhance gender diversity. Today, women make up nearly 1/3 of our local team in India, and by 2025, we hope to double the number of tour leaders’ country-wide. As we move towards our goal of increasing women’s participation in the tourism industry, we’re excited to continue showcasing the best of India and creating unforgettable memories for our guests.”
Vipin Sharma, CEO of ACCESS Development Services said: “The Holy City Rickshaw Project seeks to accomplish a three-pillared approach. It promotes women’s economic empowerment, builds their social capital by giving women an opportunity to own a part of the company, and supports the environment through the usage of electric rickshaws. Through this programme, we hope to accomplish the Prime Minister’s vision through the Lakhpati Didi scheme, facilitating economic empowerment for underprivileged households in the city.”
Biheng Zhang, General Manager of The Intrepid Foundation added: “We’re always looking for ways to create real, lasting change, and The Holy City Rickshaw project does just that. Not only will it create new opportunities for women, but it helps promote sustainable travel and tourism in the region. We know that an investment in women has benefits that flow throughout the wider community and onto the next generation, and as we look forward, I’m excited about what this initiative will bring to both the women involved and the travellers who will get to experience Varanasi through their eyes.”
Headquartered in Australia, Intrepid Travel offers sustainable and immersive travel experiences across all seven continents, with a focus on enriching journeys that connect travellers with local communities.