*KTF 2026 brings together the Eastern Himalayas through culture, tourism, sport and shared stories on World
*Tourism Day connecting India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh through culture, tourism, sport and shared Stories
TTT NEWS NETWORK
DARJEELING, SILIGURI | 23 SEPTEMBER 2026
A legacy that began in 2001 returns this September on World Tourism Day, as the Kanchenjunga Tourism Festival (KTF) 2026 prepares for its grandest edition yet. Held under the theme “Culture Connects People,” the three-day festival, taking place from 25 to 27 September 2026 across
Darjeeling and Siliguri, brings together tourism, culture, food, adventure and sport while creating a platform for connections across India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
The 2026 edition welcomes Raju Bista, Member of Parliament, Darjeeling, as Chief Patron, and Padma Shri Awardee and former Captain of the Indian National Football Team Bhaichung Bhutia as Goodwill Ambassador. A major addition this year is the Aadhya Travel Awards, recognising women leaders whose contributions have helped shape tourism, hospitality, culture and communities across the region.
Raj Basu, Convenor, Association for Conservation of Tourism (ACT), said: “For more than two decades, KTF has grown alongside the tourism story of the Eastern Himalayas. This year, we’re looking beyond individual destinations to build a larger regional narrative — one that connects people and experiences across the Eastern Himalayas, the wider Northeast, and our neighbouring countries.”
Bhaichung Bhutia, Padma Shri Awardee, former Captain of the Indian National Football Team and Goodwill Ambassador, KTF 2026, said: “KTF has always had the potential to be much more than a tourism festival. This year, with ‘Culture Connects People’ as the theme, initiatives like ‘Play for Nepal’ show how sport can create solidarity and bring people together across borders. That’s what makes this edition meaningful.”
This edition also marks the Emerging North-East Eco Forum (ENEEF) coming on board as Festival Partner — extending KTF’s canvas beyond the Siliguri corridor, often called the “Chicken’s Neck,” and into the wider Northeast. As part of this partnership, KTF’s cultural programme travels beyond Darjeeling and Siliguri too, with ENEEF Cultural Ambassador Mangka Mayanglambam set to perform — carrying the festival’s footprint all the way to Imphal.
Satyajit Aribam, Chairman and Founder, Emerging North-East Eco Forum (ENEEF), said: “The Northeast has always been more than a frontier — it’s a living bridge connecting India with Southeast Asia. Partnering with the Kanchenjunga Tourism Festival lets us carry that idea forward, linking the hills beyond the Chicken’s Neck with the culture, ecology and aspirations of the wider Northeast.”
New Highlights of KTF 2026:
— The Queen’s Trail (26 September, 6 a.m.): A heritage walk through Darjeeling’s colonial-era architecture and landmarks, culminating at Darjeeling Railway Station, part of the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
— GTA Chautare Meet and Experts’ Panel Discussions (26 September, Salesian College, Sonada, 10:30 a.m.): Experts and practitioners explore climate-resilient tourism, adventure and mountain preservation, and the role of AI and wellness in travel.
— Pedal with DHR: A 100-cyclist ride from Siliguri Junction to Rongtong along the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway route.
— Play for Nepal Charity Match: A charity football match between East Bengal Veterans and GTA 11, led by Bhaichung Bhutia, using sport as a platform for cross-border solidarity.
About the Kanchenjunga Tourism Festival:
Established in 2001, the Kanchenjunga Tourism Festival is an annual event in Eastern India held in alignment with World Tourism Day. Organised by the Association for Conservation of Tourism (ACT), KTF brings together indigenous communities, travel operators, artists, tourism practitioners and conservation bodies to foster responsible tourism across the Kanchenjunga landscape and, with ENEEF’s partnership this year, the wider Northeast.
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