Songtsam CEO Tashi Tsering on locals-first luxury hospitality in Tibet
Tashi Tsering, CEO of Songtsam, spoke at Monocle's The Entrepreneurs Live in Shanghai about the group's 26-year journey in Yunnan province. Songtsam operates 20 boutique hotels along the ancient Tea Horse Road to Lhasa, focusing on Tibetan culture and nature. Hotels have no TVs and limited Wi-Fi to encourage guests to explore outdoors. 92% of 1,600 staff are hired from local villages, with over 50% having below high school education. Staff are called 'female hosts of the family,' reflecting Tibetan traditions. Tsering emphasized that the brand prioritizes inner peace over excitement, and growth came through word of mouth over decades.
Key facts
- Songtsam CEO Tashi Tsering spoke at Monocle's The Entrepreneurs Live in Shanghai.
- Songtsam has 20 boutique hotels in northwest Yunnan to Lhasa.
- Hotels have no TVs and limited Wi-Fi to encourage outdoor activities.
- 92% of 1,600 staff are from local villages.
- Over 50% of staff have education below high school.
- Staff are called 'female hosts of the family' after Tibetan tradition.
- Songtsam has been in business for 26 years, Tsering leading for 13.
- The brand aims to deliver Tibetan culture to the outside world.
Entities
Institutions
- Songtsam
- Monocle
Locations
- Yunnan province
- China
- Shanghai
- Himalayan border
- Tea Horse Road
- Lhasa
- Tibet
Sources
- Monocle —