ABHISHEK CHAKRABORTY – New Delhi
“The focus has shifted from hard-core to soft-core, multi-activity based adventure tourism,” said Akshay Kumar, president, Adventure Tour Operators Association of India, CEO, Mercury Himalayan Explorations, in a recently held CII roundtable on adventure tourism. Highlighting the enormous potential adventure tourism has, Kumar said that the industry should encourage adventure tourism activities during off-season and cater to tourists all round the year. “Since 70 per cent of Himalayan range is in India, and Incredible India Himalayan campaign is in place, industry should strategise to encourage adventure tourism activities during off-season and cater to tourists all round the year,” he said. Kumar also emphasised upon safety and quality issues and suggested encouraging usage of satellite phones.
Pointing out the benefits of adventure tourism over conventional tourism, Arjun Sharma, co-chairman, CII National Committee on Tourism, & MD, Le Passage to India, said that this sector has the quality to get inbound tourist closely engage with society. “With the help of adventure tourism, we can showcase varied aspects of the Indian culture. Inbound tourists also can get an opportunity to closely engage with society,” he added. Though he said that there is a need to devise ways to create more synergies for this sector and for addressing the present bottlenecks.
Ajeet Bajaj (Padma Shri), managing director, Snow Leopard Adventures, said it is time a multi-pronged approach is adopted to promote and harness adventure tourism. “Nearly 90 per cent of adventure tourism is concentrated in soft adventure tourism. It is recommended that multi-pronged approach be adopted to promote and harness the potential in a safe and sustainable manner.” With a view to make optimal utilisation of airstrips, he suggested that the defense airstrips be allowed for commercial operations. He also emphasised on opening up new institutions and promoting multiple adventures sports like rafting, canoeing, skiing, etc.
Lauding the government’s efforts in promoting adventure tourism, Subhash Goyal, president, IATO, chairman, Stic Travels, said all tour operators should take advantage of the INR 3 crore allocated for Incredible India Himalayan campaign. He suggested that a helpline number be created in multiple languages exclusively for this industry.
Earlier, Amita Sarkar, senior director, CII, said that adventure tourism is playing a crucial role in driving inclusive growth, and generating employment opportunities and hence its potential cannot be ignored.
