In 2011 SNV adjusted its strategy and decided to phase out its work in the Tourism sector. Though most activities have been completed, two large programmes remain.
The EC-funded High Impact Tourism Training (HITT) Programme aims to make an increasing contribution towards sustainable pro-poor growth of the informal sector in seven least-developed countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, including Benin, Cambodia, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, and Vietnam. The programme will accomplish this by increasing the income and employability of informal workers, through skill enhancement, offering market-oriented products and services, and increasing their productivity and professionalism. The HITT Programme is implemented with the support of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) and in each country the HITT programme is strongly supported by local partner organisations experienced in skill development and training provision. Other least-developed countries will be able to benefit from the global HITT approach that will be developed and verified throughout the three years of programme implementation (January 2011 – January 2014).
The DFID-funded Great Himalaya Trail Development Programme aims to harness tourism and peace to drive sustainable development and poverty alleviation through the creation of an iconic and globally-significant new tourism product for Nepal (June 2011-June 2013). The Great Himalaya Trail entails a network of existing treks and trails, which together form one of the longest and highest walking trails in the world. SNV is collaborating with a range of partners, including the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Nepal Tourism Board and TAAN (Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal).
The Programme aims to improve the livelihoods of the 1.8 million people living in the mountains and is concentrating its activities in 3 fields:
1. Improved marketing and promotion of GHT and the destinations that are part of it
2. Improved enabling environment in different districts that are part of GHT (starting with 5 districts)
3. Improved business development in different districts that are part of GHT (starting with 5 districts)
The Great Himalaya Trail pilot programme was carried out in collaboration with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and with funding from the UNWTO and ST-EP Foundation through the Sustainable Tourism–Eliminating Poverty Programme.