Bringing you Close to Unexplored & Offbeat Meghalaya: Duia Trialblazers

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 18, 2021

As the state opens up for tourist after nine months of restriction; Local tour operators and tourism startups gear up to welcome tourist with their unique services and plans. We have one such tour operator from the state, that boast its presence worldwide while offering bespoke local experiences, customized to your travel appetite. Here we speak today with Gerald Samuel Duia, Founder of Duia Triablazers as we hear his journey, experiences and his plans going forward.

• Please share about your business:

Duia Trailblazers is a Tour Operator that mainly focuses on Eco Rural tours, Cultural tours, Adventure tours and sightseeing in a Sustainable and Responsible manner by tying up and working along with rural communities for tourism activities in various villages of Meghalaya. By doing so local communities generate employment  and economy through tourists’ visits and activities which in turn helps them back. We also work at grass root levels and try our best in organizing proper sustainable and responsible tourism activities which can be a channel to solve many social & economic issues.

• Please introduce the founding team to our readers.

Gerald Samuel Duia is a tour instructor, guide and planner with more than seven years of experience founded ‘Duia  Trailblazers’ a local tour operator in Meghalaya on March 2018. Gerald is a graduate in Bachelor of Tourism Administration from Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong and completed several Adventure Courses and Trainings.

• What was the idea behind launching this venture?

The main aim is to involve local people of various villages in generating employment and revenue from tourism activities and erase the menace of city migration and urban evils of the village youths in search for jobs. Tourism is a very wide industry with so many resources, the objective is to create and make Meghalaya a sustainable and high value destination. So far on my journey in this field Meghalaya has a lot of potential the only thing is to tap these resources and generate revenue from them in a sustainable manner. With the growth of the various travel trends, people want new experiences and new things to do. Duia Trailblazers cater and render such services. For example, participation in a cultural event or any daily activity of the local people, experiencing culture, and participating in various adventure activities like nature trails, camping, canyoning, kayaking, etc.

• What is the specialty of venture?

We offer customized packages that are based on your travel requirements and suggest the best itinerary to experience an unexplored & offbeat Meghalaya.

• What do you wish people take away from their experience?

We encourage to take nothing from nature except photographs and fond memories.

• What’s your wow moment till date?

All my achievements & recognition and all the fond memories that my clients have experienced with us.

• Any message that you would like to share with our readers?

To spread awareness on many sustainable tourism practices, preserve tradition & culture and be responsible individuals. Travel with us and experience Meghalaya in a beautiful way