The ATOAI (Adventure Tour Operators Association of India) will hold its 13th Annual Convention at Backwaters Ripples Resort, Kumarakom, Kerala from September 18 to 21, 2017. The theme for this year’s edition is Emerging Pathways.
The global tourism industry is undergoing significant changes, with travellers increasingly preferring adventure and active holidays. The niche has not only become mainstream but is now leading it.
The agenda of the convention is to thus address issues related to achieving the goal of establishing India as the Adventure Capital of the world. It will encompass policy, capacity creation, Responsible Tourism and marketing.
Deliberations will be held amongst key stakeholders including Government, tourism boards, industry, experts and the media.
The new traveller is driven by a desire for physical and mental transformations, feeling healthier and more alive in the process. He or she seeks to achieve this through discovery, learnings, unique experiences, meaningful stories, fun, thrills, new friendships and an expanded worldview. These are all inherent in adventure travel. Trends such as these will have implications on how travel business is conducted in the coming years.
Every country has some adventure to offer, but India is a country that offers almost every adventure and active holiday experience that one can seek. Even as the definition of adventure has expanded, India has upped its game to offer all this. From mostly a mountain and wildlife destination, the country now offers much more: Skiing, water rafting, treks, road trips, off-road adventure, biking, cycling, scuba diving, river cruising, angling, bungee jumping, ballooning, caving, birding, adventure parks, nature retreats, culture, food, mountaineering and more. At any given time of the year, one can do most of these at some location in the country.
Despite all this, India may not have got its due as the preferred destination for adventure seekers. Since 1994, ATOAI has been at the forefront of influencing policy, helping members create capacity, training, establishing safety standards, ensuring sustainable practices and marketing. The year 2017 marks a watershed when the association has taken upon itself to raise the bar.
The annual convention is supported and hosted by Kerala Tourism but ATOAI is inviting all stakeholders to contribute in its resolve to make India the adventure capital of the world. These include Government, tourism boards, industry, experts and media.
The agenda will include sessions on how to achieve these goals, networking amongst delegates, exhibits by state tourism boards and industry players, and FAM trips and a day of adventure to showcase Kerala as a unique tourist destination.
ATOAI has ensured that its annual convention and events travel to different parts of the country to connect all stakeholders in the adventure tourism and to draw attention to host destinations.
