Aayusha Prasain Email & Phone Number

As the CEO of CHN, I am privileged to lead a social enterprise dedicated to promoting responsible tourism. We collaborate with 36 communities across Nepal, striving to preserve cultural heritage while creating immersive experiences that benefit both locals and travelers. By developing tourism products with local ownership, providing training, and establishing market linkages, CHN helps build resilient ecosystems. My commitment to this mission is deeply rooted in my upbringing as a third culture kid, growing up across Asia, from Mongolia to rural Myanmar, where I developed a profound appreciation for cultural diversity.My father’s commitment to community development and my mother’s passion for local languages and social fabrics taught me that home is not just a physical space but a feeling cultivated through connection and shared experiences. These formative experiences ignited my lifelong dedication to responsible community tourism and sustainable development.With a background in International Development focused on women-led entrepreneurship, I have held various roles in both national and international organizations. My academic research in the sustainability of women-led entrepreneurship further solidified my belief in empowering women through entrepreneurial initiatives.I envision community tourism as a powerful catalyst for sustainable development, not merely as a niche market but as a transformative force within the broader tourism industry. By shifting our focus from viewing communities as mere beneficiaries to understanding who bears the socio-economic and environmental costs, we can redefine responsible travel. This vision drives my work every day, as we demonstrate that community tourism can pave the way for a more equitable future for all.