In a world where travel is becoming more accessible yet increasingly commercialised, the Volunteer Yatra is paving a different path that intertwines adventure with altruism. Founded by Aakash Mann, this unique initiative connects rural hosts in India with skilled travellers, creating a mutually beneficial exchange.
Outlook Traveller spoke to Mann about the vision, challenges, and impact of the Volunteer Yatra.
"Volunteer Yatra is about connecting skilled travellers, whom we call Yatris, with rural hosts across India," said Aakash. "Our Yatris exchange their skills for free accommodation and meals, helping rural communities while experiencing a unique, immersive travel experience."
Volunteer tourism, or voluntourism, combines travel with volunteer work. This approach not only provides affordable travel options but also supports local communities. "At Volunteer Yatra, our vision is to create a global family of compassionate individuals inspired and empowered to make a positive difference," he added.
Volunteer Yatra is open to anyone with skills and a willingness to learn and help. "Anybody with some skills, who is open to new learnings and experiences and ready to help, is a qualified Yatri," said Aakash. The initiative welcomes a diverse group of individuals, from students and professionals to retirees, all united by a common goal of contributing positively to society.
Covering over 15 states in India, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Andhra Pradesh, Volunteer Yatra has a broad reach. Aakash emphasised that sustainability is at the core of their mission. "Sustainability and empowerment are two fundamental goals of Volunteer Yatra. We aim to support rural communities while promoting sustainable tourism practices."
With new concepts like slow travel and dupe destinations gaining popularity, Volunteer Yatra is ahead of the curve. "We are already exploring the unexplored cities of India," said Aakash. "For example, Rajpipla in Gujarat has been a hot operating place for us since its discovery via Volunteer Yatra, thanks to our host. We aim to bring hidden gems onto the map for people to travel, explore, and empower."
Volunteer Yatra aims to bring sustainable rural change and accessible adventures. "We want travellers to embrace raw landscapes over hotel comforts and live like locals, not just tourists," said Aakash. By breaking old business models with modern tools, Volunteer Yatra ensures equal benefits for travellers and hosts.
"Our Yatris are expected to understand the problems and pain points of our host community and help them with their skills and education," explained Aakash. This involves understanding the host's culture and ideologies and helping them scale their businesses through online mediums like social media and e-commerce platforms.
The selection process is thorough but inclusive. "Our assessment criteria for Yatris are based on their efficiency in the skills they mention. We offer 50+ skills, and we are beginner-friendly," said Aakash. Anyone aged 18 and above is eligible.
Starting something new always comes with its challenges. Acknowleding the same, Aakash said, "Our volunteering concept is new to Indian society, and affordable travel can come with challenges." Authenticity is often questioned, but Volunteer Yatra actively works to resolve doubts and spread awareness.
"Breaking the ice and introducing sustainable travel is a challenge we relish," he asserted. "Our goal of reaching rural India demands connections and acceptance, which we are steadily navigating. Every day brings new resolutions and a more stable process, strengthening our hopes. Our concept is gaining traction, and our determination grows stronger daily."
The response from village communities has been overwhelmingly positive. "We have observed a significant need for skilled manpower in rural India to run local homestays and cater to hospitality needs," said Aakash. By providing skilled volunteers, Volunteer Yatra is building strong bonds with hosts, who are now more open to learning how to enhance their revenue.
"Our volunteering program focuses on in-demand skills like property management, hospitality, content creation, and managing OTA listings." These skills help improve the property and visibility, directly impacting the hosts' revenue and positively changing their status.
While Volunteer Yatra does not offer monetary remuneration, volunteers receive free meals and accommodation. Aakash shared that the organisation is also developing projects like Rang Rahi, a wall mural-centric initiative. "Rang Rahi benefits our artist community, including wall artists, musicians, and poets. Our idea is to bring communities together and grow along, which has been praised by our Yatris."
Aakash emphasised the philosophy behind the Volunteer Yatra, rooted in the ancient Indian concept of "shramdaan," which means donating labour. "Volunteering is about camaraderie, leadership, and building foundations for the paths we are moving along," he concluded.
Going forward, Volunteer Yatra aims to continue evolving with the travel landscape. "Any step that can help our travel community and empower our society will be introduced into our setup and established by our team," said Aakash.