TravTalk India Online Magazine
Arunachal Pradesh is poised to become a global adventure tourism hub. With a focus on responsible tourism and eco-sensitivity, the state is preparing for significant growth. A revised tourism policy and the upcoming ATOAI convention will showcase its adventure potential while promoting sustainable practices.
Janice Alyosius
Arunachal Pradesh has vast potential to emerge as a global adventure tourism hub and attract an increasing number of domestic and international travellers. The state government is planning to revise its tourism policy to cash in on this potential. Pasang Dorjee Sona, Tourism Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, said, “We are framing the tourism policy; it is going to be a very comprehensive one because it will include a wide range of sectors. Responsible tourism will be one of the key focuses.”
With a focus on responsible tourism and eco-sensitivity, the state government is committed to balancing development with the preservation of its pristine environment. “As I always say, we don’t want travellers who spend Rs 10 but leave behind a burden of 20. We need to ensure that we are eco-sensitive and care about our environment,” he said.With eco-sensitive growth as the foundation of the policy, the state government is serious about how it grows tourism while encouraging people to explore its natural heritage, while also ensuring the protection of its fragile ecology. “That is the biggest concern as we frame the policy. The policy is not yet finalised, but we hope to have it in place by the end of next month,” the minister said.
Adventure takes centre stage
Arunachal Pradesh is preparing to host the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) convention in Tawang from 3-8 December, highlighting its adventure tourism potential on a national platform.
Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, said, “Arunachal is India’s last Shangri-La, with unmatched natural heritage and adventure opportunities. The convention will focus on showcasing the state’s offerings, from mountain biking, rafting, and kayaking to India’s longest zip line in Mechukha. This is an incredible opportunity to highlight Arunachal’s potential while setting benchmarks for responsible tourism.”
The convention is designed not only to promote adventure activities but also to ensure sustainable practices. “Our event will be net-zero, with steps to calculate and mitigate the carbon footprint,” said Bajaj, adding that, “We hope to inspire similar initiatives across India, aligning adventure tourism with eco-conscious travel trends.”
Sustainable tourism practices
As the state attracts more attention, its leaders are focused on avoiding the pitfalls of over-tourism seen in other destinations. Oken Tayeng, MLA, Convention Chairperson, and Chapter Chairman of the North Eastern Region, ATOAI, emphasised the need for sustainable development. “Arunachal is a relatively new destination, where not much has happened yet in terms of tourism. However, it holds immense potential. As one of the largest states in the country, it boasts 80 per cent forest cover, great peaks—two of which are about 23,000 feet high—and vast adventure territory. This convention is particularly significant because it is the first dedicated adventure tourism event happening here.”
