Overview
The 24th edition of the Kanchenjunga Tourism Festival (KTF) 2026 was organized by the Association for Conservation & Tourism (ACT) in partnership with the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). The three‑day celebration took place from September 25 to 27, 2026, moving across Siliguri, Darjeeling, Sonada, Rongtong and Sukna in West Bengal, and was timed to coincide with World Tourism Day. Participants and stakeholders hailed from North Bengal, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, with Malaysia observing as an international guest.
Cultural Programme
The festival opened at City Centre, Siliguri, showcasing 32 rural stalls that displayed a total of 2,906 products sourced from Bhutan, Nepal, the Darjeeling hills, Sikkim and North Bengal. A marquee cultural performance featured nearly 150 dancers representing eight classical dance forms, staged to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the national song "Vande Mataram." Additional cultural acts included performances by Mangka and the Laihui Ensemble from Manipur, dance, music, art and drama competitions, a Mr & Miss Kanchenjunga pageant, and ethnic fashion showcases highlighting Lepcha, Limbu, Bhutia and Northeast traditions. A 76‑foot nail‑art painting was also installed as a record‑oriented attraction.
New Initiatives and Sustainable Tourism
A flagship launch was "The Queen’s Trail," a carbon‑neutral heritage walk that traverses Darjeeling’s colonial‑era architecture and culminates at the iconic Darjeeling Railway Station. The trail is designed around slow tourism, zero‑waste principles and local homestays, aiming to provide families with an immersive experience while generating livelihood opportunities for local communities.
At GTA Chautare in Sonada, homestay owners, students and tourism experts from India, Nepal and Bhutan convened for panel discussions on rural, cultural and community‑led climate‑resilient tourism. Expert sessions also covered adventure sports, mountain preservation, artificial intelligence, innovation, wellness and the broader concept of tourism beyond mere sightseeing.
Sporting and Humanitarian Activities
The "Pedal with DHR" initiative saw 73 cyclists ride from Siliguri Junction to Rongtong along the historic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) route. The ride also included 20 destitute elderly women from Siliguri, who traveled alongside travel agents, writers and influencers, turning the heritage railway journey into an inclusive community experience.
In Sukna, the festival hosted "Play for Nepal," an exhibition football match between East Bengal Legends and GTA XI, staged beside the DHR World Heritage line. The match was led by Padma Shri awardee and former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia and featured several celebrated East Bengal players. Funds raised from the match were earmarked for rehabilitation efforts for communities in Nepal affected by a recent disaster. The event was attended by Jhakka Prasad Acharya, Consul General of Nepal in Kolkata, underscoring the cross‑border solidarity theme.
Awards and Recognition
The closing ceremony featured the KTF Food Awards and the Aadhya Travel Awards, the latter honouring women entrepreneurs and leaders who are shaping tourism, hospitality and community development across the region. These awards brought together voices from Eastern India and neighbouring countries, celebrating culinary diversity and the pivotal role of women in the tourism economy.
Milestones and Future Outlook
KTF 2026 marked the 24th anniversary of ACT’s work in grassroots community engagement and resilient rural regeneration through tourism. Organizers highlighted the festival’s expanding geographical footprint, international participation, community‑centric initiatives, heritage experiences, expert dialogues and sporting outreach as foundations for the 25th edition planned for 2027.
Bhaichung Bhutia, Goodwill Ambassador for KTF 2026, stated that the festival’s theme "Culture Connects People" was realized through music, heritage, tourism and sport, and that "Play for Nepal" demonstrated football’s power to foster solidarity across borders. Raj Basu, Convenor of ACT, emphasized that the festival continued to connect people across the Kanchenjunga region, from grassroots entrepreneurs to neighbouring countries and the wider Northeast, and that future editions will focus on responsible tourism, culture and community participation.
Conclusion
KTF 2026 successfully blended cultural showcases, sustainable tourism initiatives, cross‑border dialogues and humanitarian sport, reinforcing the message that the Eastern Himalayas are united by shared heritage rather than divided by borders, and setting the stage for an even larger 25th edition in 2027.