As part of the wider mission that has seen female representation in Intrepid Travel's tour leader lineup increase to almost a third, the operator has now invested £28,000 in the Holy City Rickshaw Program in Varanasi, India
The initiative trains women to drive and maintain electric rickshaws for tours of Varanasi, known as the Holy City thanks to its sacred role in Hindu mythology.
Alongside the practical skills associated with driving and maintaining the vehicles, women on the programme will be supported with financial and business literacy sessions.
Upon completion of the programme, graduates offer city tours–10 of which will be offered in several Intrepid itineraries that include a stay in the city.
Intrepid Travel's general manager for India, Rama Mahendru, said the donation "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, where women still contribute only around 18% to the country’s overall GDP, despite making up 48% of the population."
