ATOAI – Celebrating 2018 as ‘The Year of Adventure Tourism’.

Source : A&W Magazine

On the behest of Adventure Tour Operators Association of Inda  (ATOAI), the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) has announced  the year 2018 as ‘The Year of Adventure Tourism’. The Association will spearhead various activities  across the country to promote adventure travel to celebrate the year of adventure tourism. “The goal is to double the adventure travel in the country in the next two years.” Said Capt. Swadesh Kumar – President ATOAI.

For the past few years, the focus of ATOAI has created widespread awareness on adventure tourism being one of the important facets of tourism in our country and the need to promote India as one of the most popular adventure tourism destinations in the world.  India as an adventure tourism destination has grown in
popularity both in the domestic and international market. The celebration of 2018 as Year of Adventure Tourism will greatly help in achieving the goals which ATOAI has set.

ATOAI is aiming to have a series of events, roadshows and promotions in India and overseas, FAM trips for international adventure tour operators as well as travel media to mark the celebrations.ATOAI has already given a wish list to MOT for holding the below events.

India Adventure Summit in April 2018

    Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA)- Adventure Next at Panchmarhi,Madhya Pradesh in December, 2018
    Pacific Asia Travel Association(PATA) Adventure Travel Mart & Conference at Assam in February 2019

ATOAI has adopted two trails on the Himalayan sites
for cleaning and maintaining –

* Stok Kangri – the ascent trail to Base Camp.

* Gangotri Temple –  trail to Gaumukh.

Both the above projects are in  collaboration with the local communities. The purpose of these project is to preserve it for the past for future generations. The project aims to develop synergy among all partners involved.

ATOAI is making all efforts to increase Membership across the country from the present strength of 450 to 2000 by the end of 2018.

We are also coordinating with  Adventure Tour Operators Associations in smaller towns, making them  our Affiliate members and also reach to their members to come in the fold of ATOAI.

ATOAI and its members have always been in the forefront when it comes to the safety of the participants. Today there are many deaths annually due to negligent operators not operating within laid down guidelines. It is our responsibility to make sure that these accidents and fatalities are reduced to a minimal if not Zero. ATOAI team has prepared a version 2 of the Safety Guidelines for adventure tourism. MOT has circulated these guidelines to all states  in a meeting that was held on 27th December where these guidelines were shared and discussed with the representatives of all Indian States. MOT has given them two weeks to come back with any changes/additions. After which the guidelines will be implemented and made mandatory across all Indian states.