Design for Life
In March of 2015, Rebecca was fortunate to host the first of many educational visits to a country she had longed to travel to since childhood: Nepal, the small mountainous former kingdom nestled between India and China. The name Kathmandu conjured up exotic and mystical images in her mind and she looked forward to catching a glimpse of the Himalayas in the north and sighting a Bengal Tiger in the southern plains of the country.
After a spectacular experience with Ventours International, the destination management company Rebecca Recommends for India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet and the Maldives, Rebecca fell deeply in love with the country and the people of Nepal. She feels eternally grateful to her good friend Neil De Souza, president of Ventours, who has loved and believed in Nepal for more than thirty years. Rebecca did not expect the profound effects Nepal would have on her mind, heart, and soul, which ignited a passion to further embrace the country and its people.
Our Mission
Making a Difference
In recent years, Nepal has faced significant natural challenges, including major earthquakes and severe recent flooding. Despite these hardships, local communities and international partners continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience, channeling time, energy, and resources into rebuilding infrastructure and restoring affected regions across the country.
A Thriving Destination
Today, Kathmandu and surrounding regions are operational, seamlessly blending revitalized heritage monuments with modern tourism infrastructure. Travelers from around the world are welcomed by vibrant local markets, active hospitality businesses, and thriving cultural landscapes. Tourism continues to serve as a vital pillar of the economy, fostering employment and cultural exchange across urban and rural communities alike.
Looking to the Future
As an Honorary Tourism Goodwill Ambassador of Nepal, Rebecca remains committed to supporting sustainable tourism and long-term economic growth. Nepal stands today not only as a place of recovery, but as a dynamic and enduring destination with a strong, sustainable future in global tourism. With our combined efforts and support, we believe that Nepal will continue to evolve and flourish.
Design For Life
I launched Design for Life by Rebecca Recommends with the vision of supporting Nepalese artisans and joining the efforts of local charitable foundations that touch the lives of so many, and make a meaningful difference in their communities.
Design for Life produces and sells Pashmina shawls, linen and wool scarves and other ethically and respectfully made items, giving back a large percentage of the proceeds to several foundations in Nepal.
If you have any ideas or would like to collaborate on promoting travel to Nepal, I will be thrilled to hear from you.
Thank you for supporting our mission and helping us make a lasting impact.
Rebecca Slater
Founder & Owner
Rebecca Recommends