Indian tea tourism helps spread Darjeeling aroma
Monday, 20 October 2008
KURSEONG, India, Aug 19 (AFP): Touring tea gardens in India's famous Darjeeling hills and tasting several varieties of the gold-coloured brew has got Audrey Dreyer thinking about a career in the trade.
Dreyer, from France, is among a growing number of tourists wanting to experience life on the estates in the famous tea- growing region to learn about some of the world's most coveted varieties.
As part of a new push to promote their brands worldwide and after having trained tourists for no charge in recent years, many estates are now offering specialised live-in training courses on the plantations for a fee.
The privately owned Lochan Tea Limited company is one of those, where students undertake a three-month course in international tea trading.
Dreyer, from France, is among a growing number of tourists wanting to experience life on the estates in the famous tea- growing region to learn about some of the world's most coveted varieties.
As part of a new push to promote their brands worldwide and after having trained tourists for no charge in recent years, many estates are now offering specialised live-in training courses on the plantations for a fee.
The privately owned Lochan Tea Limited company is one of those, where students undertake a three-month course in international tea trading.