The Youth For Tourism

01/09/2025

Dear Members,

Today The Youth for Tourism had the privilege of attending the special event hosted by Druk Air in Darjeeling. The program was insightful and provided an excellent platform to explore opportunities, exchange ideas, and strengthen collaboration in the field of tourism. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Druk Air for the kind invitation and hospitality. We look forward to building stronger partnerships for the growth of sustainable tourism.

12/08/2025

🌿 Mero-Darjeeling Launch 🌿

Today, Darjeeling Municipality, GTA & Vikram Foundation launched Mero-Darjeeling — a movement to show love for our hills through action! 💚

Youth For Tourism proudly took part in this inspiring event, joining hands with others to make a difference.

Participants engaged in plogging 🏃‍♂️🗑 — running while picking up litter — to keep our town clean, and pledged to make cleanliness everyone’s responsibility.

The day featured book launches, heartfelt thanks to our hardworking conservation workers, inspiring speeches, and messages from social media influencers.

A proud moment came when our Youth For Tourism founder, Mr. Mingma Girmi Sherpa, delivered an uplifting speech encouraging everyone to take action for a cleaner, greener Darjeeling.

💚 Let’s all do our part — one piece of litter at a time! ♻️✨

19/07/2025

Message and Report of Helay Fest.

Date: 18th July 2025
Location: Yok Village, Kalimpong
Subject: Successful Conclusion of Helay Fest 2025 – A Celebration of Soil, Community & Youth

The Helay Fest 2025 concluded with overwhelming enthusiasm and participation, bringing together people from across the hills and beyond. The event saw the presence of participants from Sikkim, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and various regions of North Bengal, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere that celebrated rural life, local culture, and youth energy.

Organized by the Helay Fest Community, the festival was hosted in the village of Yok, Kalimpong. It was a unique grassroots celebration designed to promote farming culture, indigenous traditions, and active youth participation. The event witnessed traditional games, cultural performances, mud therapy, folk music, farming activities, and more.

Special Acknowledgments:

The organizing committee expresses special gratitude to the villagers of Yok, the Yok Samaj, the Parents' Association, and the dynamic Youths of Yok, whose collective spirit, voluntary support, and hospitality became the backbone of the event.

We would also like to thank our supporting partners, whose collaboration added immense value to the festival:

Trail Begins from Kurseong

Youth For Tourism

Anjani Initiative

Art Café Kalimpong

Sewa Khunj Eco Stay, Charkhol

T2 Studio

Bazz Studio

Rimbick Fresh

Kalimpong Diary

Their support, whether in terms of media coverage, logistics, creativity, or on-ground collaboration, ensured that Helay Fest reached the wider community and stayed true to its vision.

Dignitaries and Administrative Support:

On behalf of the Helay Fest Community, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the Panchayat Pradhan, local Panchayat Members, and other dignitaries who took time to attend the festival and lend their support. Their encouragement and presence uplifted both the organizers and the villagers.

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Helay Fest is not merely an event—it is a movement to reconnect with our land, to value our farmers, and to inspire youth to take pride in their heritage. The success of this year’s festival proves that with unity and local participation, such rural festivals can become powerful platforms for change, pride, and celebration.

14/07/2025

All are welcome in the Foundation Day Celebration of The Youth For Tourism

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HuJYW1Vpu/

28/06/2025

🌄 A New Chapter in Hill Tourism! 🌐

The Youth for Tourism, in collaboration with ASK Darj and the Darjeeling Police, proudly hosted the first-ever AI & Digital Workshop for Tourism Professionals — and what a milestone it was!
From every corner of the hills, 71 passionate participants joined us online to explore how technology, local pride, and creative energy are shaping the future of tourism.

🎤 Hosted by the ever-inspiring Mr. Rasik Chettri, the session unfolded into a power-packed journey of learning:

🤖 AI for Tourism – The ASK Darj team unlocked the potential of artificial intelligence for tourism, followed by Mr. Tenzee Lawang Bhutia who introduced us to the Local AI: Ask Darj — your on-demand tourism companion for Darjeeling
📱 Ask Darj: https://www.askdarj.in

🛡️ Cybersecurity Awareness – Experts from Darjeeling Cyber PS (Mr.Biswajit Mallik, Mr.Gaurav Sarki, Mr.Sukraj Rai, and ASI Shabnam Tamang) equipped us with essential tips on staying safe from online and financial fraud
🔗 cybercrime.gov.in | 📞 Call: 1930 | Cyber PS: 0354 22 55897

📈 Digital Marketing – Mrs. Regina Gurung traced the evolution of marketing in Darjeeling since 1828 and revealed how to navigate today’s algorithms, keywords, and content tools for meaningful online presence

🌐 Website Insights – Mr. Sanjok Chamling from TYFT walked us through the official website: darjeelingkalimpongtourism.org

🎨 Graphic Design – Mr. Tenzin Kunsel sparked our creative side with principles of design, brand color harmony, and the power of impactful visual identity

💬 A special shoutout to Sukraj Rai - Sterling Resort for his continued support.
🙏 Heartfelt thanks to all who made this event possible:
📍 Sterling Resort, Ghoom
🍃 Mayuk Tea | Himalayan Coffee | Lama Tea, Takdah
🛡️ Darjeeling Police | 💡 ASK Darj
We’re not just embracing change — we’re leading it.
Let the hills go digital, the youth rise, and the world take notice!

27/06/2025

🎓 First-Ever Online Workshop for Tourism Professionals – AI & Digital Skills

📢 Yes, it’s happening! The very first workshop designed especially for tourism professionals from the Darjeeling hills and beyond!

🗓 Date: 28th June 2025
🕙 Time: Everyone is requested to report by 10:00 AM sharp
📍 Venue: Sterling Resort, Ghoom
💻 Mode: Hybrid (Online & Offline)

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✅ Registration is now closed.
Thank you for the overwhelming response!

20/06/2025

🌟 First Ever in Darjeeling Hills! 🌟
🚀 Tourism & Tech Workshop 🚀

🗓️ Date: 28th June 2025
📍 Venue: Sterling Resort, Ghoom
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Lunch break included)

🎯 For Whom?
Homestay Owners | Local Guides | Tourism Professionals

💡 Learn About:
✔️ AI Tools for Tourism Business
✔️ Digital Marketing Made Simple
✔️ Website & Google Business Basics
✔️ Cyber Safety Tips

💵 Entry Fee: ₹500 per person
(Includes refreshments + packed lunch)

🎟️ Limited Seats Available! Confirm Now:
👉 Fill the Google Form Here:
🔗 [ https://forms.gle/oV6jEVtuE1D2X7AG8 ]
📞 Contact for Details: 85098 63957

05/06/2025

Evening Feel of Darjeeling.

12/04/2025

"New Darjeeling" – A Thoughtful Meetup at Tara Circle

Today, Tara Circle in collaboration with The Youth For Tourism hosted an insightful and inspiring meetup at Tara Circle, Darjeeling. The event was smoothly curated by Mr. Migma Girmi Sherpa, who shaped the flow of the gathering with clarity and warmth.

The session began with Mr. Lawan Bhutia, owner of Tara Circle, who introduced the concept of “New Darjeeling” – a vision of reimagining tourism in a more meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable way.

New Darjeeling is a movement to redefine how we see our town — not just as a tourist spot, but as a creative and cultural hub. Ourobjective focuses on blending tradition with modern ideas, supporting local voices, and building a future where the youth don’t leave for opportunities — they create them here.

The Speakers and Highlights:

1. Mr. Vivek Pradhan – Sita World Travellers

Once an ordinary boy from Darjeeling, Vivek shared his inspiring journey to working with one of India’s top travel company.

He emphasized:

The importance of foreign languages like Japanese and French – a rare yet valuable skill for local guides.

How in Nepal, tourists are immersed in Tihar and Bhailo experiences, exposed to Newari culture, and connected to local heritage – ideas that Darjeeling could adapt to enrich tourist experiences.

2. Mr. Tenzing Tamang – Vlogger & Land Rover Driver

Expressed his pride in being a Land Rover driver and his personal journey of attracting tourists through storytelling and digital platforms.

Advocated for eco-conscious tourism by pledging to keep Sandakphu plastic-free and urging others to take responsibility too.

3. Ms. Priyashika Rai – The Only Female Guide in Darjeeling

Shared her inspiring journey of breaking barriers and becoming the first female guide in the region.

Addressed the challenges faced by women in the tourism industry and emphasized how changing mindsets is key to ensuring the safety and empowerment of women in the field.

4. Mr. Lawan Bhutia – Host, Researcher & Owner of Tara Circle

Lawan wrapped up the session by explaining the types of tourists Darjeeling typically attracts:

Organised Mass Tourists: Group travelers with fixed itineraries, low purchasing power, and less interest in unique experiences.

Explorers: Independent travelers, flexible and open to new adventures, higher purchasing power, with time to spare.

Drifters: Similar to explorers, with higher purchasing power and extremely flexible for any movements.

He warned that focusing too heavily on the first category may lead to a decline in tourism quality. Instead, he proposed a balanced approach, with efforts to attract more explorers and drifters by:

Promoting hostels as ideal spaces for explorers and wanderers.

Rebranding Darjeeling as a slow-travel destination where simple pleasures like sitting at Chowrasta all day can become core experiences.

Introducing alternative activities such as rock climbing, trail races (like Hell Race), and other adventure-based experiences.

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The event concluded with a sense of optimism and collaboration, as the attendees shared the belief that Darjeeling's future in tourism lies in authenticity, culture, and conscious exploration.

12/04/2025