TravTalk India Online Magazine
The ATOAI has been actively promoting adventure tourism in India. The association participated in a G20 TWG meeting recently and emphasized on the importance of adventure tourism. It aims to collaborate with government bodies and stakeholders to elevate adventure tourism and create standardized procedures for tour operators.
Janice Alyosius
The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) has been actively involved in promoting adventure tourism. With the G20 Summit being held in India, ATOAI has been working tirelessly to contribute to the success of the event.
ATOAI had a significant presence in the Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting held in Siliguri, where a series of sessions and panel discussions took place. Emphasizing on the significance of adventure tourism, Tejbir Singh Anand, Senior Vice President, ATOAI and Managing Director, Holiday Moods Adventures, said, “The focus of the event was undoubtedly on adventure. It was an exceptional gathering, featuring numerous engaging sessions that spanned the entire day. Panel discussions were a highlight, where we shared insights on adventure tourism. The tourism minister revealed plans for an international event dedicated to adventure tourism in India, which would attract global buyers. He also mentioned about the new adventure-focused website.”
ATOAI’s contribution to adventure tourism
The establishment of the national tourism board for adventure tourism marks a significant milestone for the industry. Anand shared, “By collaborating with government bodies, trade organizations, and other stakeholders, the association aims to elevate adventure tourism to new heights. Through comprehensive deliberations and collective wisdom of all involved parties, the national board intends to create a national strategy and model law for adventure tourism. Once finalized, these guidelines will ensure that all adventure tour operators in the country adhere to standardized procedures and conduct tours in line with safety regulations. The Ministry of Tourism’s support and proactive approach in prioritizing adventure tourism have been greatly appreciated by ATOAI”.
Exploring new destinations
Following the pandemic, there has been a surge in adventure travel, with a particular focus on natural heritage and eco-tourism.
“ATOAI recognizes the need to discover and promote new trails and lesser-known destinations to alleviate over-tourism and offer unique experiences to travellers. In this regard, destinations like Kashmir, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and the remote valleys of Himachal Pradesh have witnessed increased footfall,” he said.
International opportunities in adventure tourism
Internationally, polar countries such as Greenland, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, and Antarctica have gained popularity among Indian travellers. Anand shared, “ATOAI has received a significant response from travellers interested in exploring these remote destinations and experiencing phenomena like the northern lights and polar bear sightings. Recognizing the growing demand, ATOAI is actively promoting adventure trips to polar countries and has launched a B2B portal to assist travel agents in selling these unique experiences. The portal provides agents with comprehensive information, white-label options, itineraries, and marketing materials, generating enthusiasm among agents and opening up new avenues for adventure tourism.”
Upcoming events and initiatives by ATOAI
Anand revealed that ATOAI is gearing up for several upcoming events, with plans to organize a total of eight to nine events this year. Anand said, “These events will be held in collaboration with regional tourism offices across India, covering all regions of the country. Each event will span three days and include a Wilderness First Aid responder course, aimed at enhancing the skills and capacities of adventure tour operators. Additionally, sessions on risk management and best practices in adventure travel will be conducted. The events will conclude with a B2B travel mart, providing a platform for adventure tour operators to network and interact with the travel fraternity, facilitating business opportunities.”
ATOAI’s vision for the future
With a successful track record and new initiatives in the pipeline, ATOAI is poised to make significant contributions to the adventure tourism sector in the coming years. “By focusing on unexplored destinations, capacity building, and skill development, ATOAI aims to continuously raise the bar for adventure tourism in India and provide travellers with unforgettable experiences” shared Anand.
