 SCOTT CRAMER |
 SCOTT CRAMER |
It started as a simple idea. Two partners who were working in manufacturing and export industry wanted to do more than just make money. They wanted to make profit and use it for a social cause. This desire to mix business and social responsibility gave birth to Social Tours, a company founded by Raj Gyawali. In 1998, Gyawali and his partner help a group of students travel from the UK to Nepal and raised about 4000 pounds, which went towards building a hostel for a school in the mountains. The trip offered quintessential activities like white water rafting, trekking and an elephant safari. With the success of this trip, the duo brought another group of students two years later. This time they earned 2000 pounds more and the money was used to fund a cataract eye camp at several villages. After the success of the two trips, the duo thought this idea could be developed into a substantial program and this is how social tours was born. Unfortunately, the manufacturing and export factory and the school were destroyed during the civil war.
 PAIVI WELLS Raj Gyawali |
"Although we had been thinking about a social project for a long time, our idea finally finally took off. In 2002 after I set up socialtours.com, based on CSR principles, a responsible tourism policy, a value based decision making process, and basically three very basic principles- to be sensitive to the environment and culture, and to contribute into the local economy" says the founder.
Today, Social Tours is a thriving business, with a sister organization called socialtreks.com, exclusively focused on trekking and soft adventure, with eight full-time staff and a stakeholder base which exceeds 200 people. "Our prime focus has been to spread the tourism dollar amongst hotels, restaurants, gear shops, transportation services, guides, porters, airlines, etc. We want to prove that if a business supports another business, it shows responsibility and yes, can be profitable too," says Gyawali.
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The organization has been nominated four times for the prestigious Responsible Tourism Awards in the UK (World Travel Mart). Actively involved in leading and practicing Sustainable Tourism Network in Nepal, the MAST program, and playing a leading role in the Fringe RT Network worldwide, Social Tours today is one of Nepal's leading 'soft adventure' specialists. The organization is also involved in new networking and joint marketing efforts such as the Green Circuit in the sub-continent, and has also designed off-the-beaten-brack products in Nepal such as the Tamang Heritage Trail, the Chepang Hill Trail, Shamanism Treks, etc. Besides, traditional travel programs like trekking and outdoor activities, Social Tours has also been encouraging tourisits to volunteer while travelling and organizes events like 'Cook like a local' and rice planting to give foreigners a first-hand experience of the local way of life.
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Social Tours, not only aims at foreigners but also at domestic tourists. When asked about local travelers, Gyawali replies "Nepalis do not understand good service. They just just don't want to pay and are looking for the cheapest services. It's just that they are unwilling to pay. There is so much a Nepali hasn't seen or done in his own country. Nepal is not only Kathmandu and the only way one can experience it is by getting out there."
 RENE JUNGSNICKEL |
When it comes to social responsibilities and values, Social Tours take themselves seriously. These efforts have placed them on top of the board in Nepal's tourism movement within Nepal. Gyawali encourages both local and foreigners to travel responsibly through Nepal as it can teach them, not only about one's culture but patience and friendliness.
