The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) hosted a memorable Members Meet on 30th May 2025 at The Park Hotel, New Delhi. This special gathering brought together adventure tourism professionals and stakeholders from across the country for an evening dedicated to connection, collaboration, and community building.

With enthusiastic participation from various chapters and regions, the event marked a significant milestone in ATOAI’s ongoing journey to strengthen its network and empower its members. It served as a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas, reflecting on key achievements, and setting a collective vision for the future.

The evening commenced with a warm welcome from the ATOAI leadership, who expressed deep appreciation for the dedication and resilience demonstrated by members in navigating the ever evolving landscape of adventure tourism. This was followed by an engaging presentation covering recent initiatives, including safety and certification updates, chapter engagement, training programs, and collaborative opportunities with government bodies and tourism boards.

Celebrating the spirit of adventure that unites us all, the event was a poignant reminder that while our landscapes may differ from the snow-covered Himalayas to the lush Western Ghats our commitment to safe, responsible, and professional adventure tourism remains steadfast.

As the evening transitioned into a relaxed social setting over drinks and dinner, members had the opportunity to network, reconnect with old friends, and build new relationships. Conversations were lively, ideas flowed freely, and the camaraderie that defines ATOAI was evident throughout.

Looking ahead, the Members Meet underscored a powerful message: the strength of ATOAI lies in its members. Your voices, expertise, and collective spirit continue to shape the future of adventure tourism in India.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated and contributed to making this event a resounding success. Here's to many more such moments of unity, inspiration, and shared purpose.

In a powerful show of leadership and vision, the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) successfully hosted a landmark webinar titled “Turning Tides: Navigating Upcoming Tourism Trends” on 20th May 2025.

Held amid rising global uncertainty and the Indo-Pak conflict, this bold initiative brought together some of the most influential voices in Indian tourism to chart a path forward for the industry. The event’s timing aligned with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s meeting on tourism held the same day — a strong signal of synergy between government and industry efforts.

Highlights from the Event:

Mr. Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, emphasized the critical role of resilience, highlighting mental and physical well-being, financial preparedness, and crisis communication.

Mr. Ajay Prakash, President, TAFI, advocated for sustainable, decentralized tourism and emphasized travel as a unifying social force.

Mr. Dhruv Shringi, Co-Founder & CEO of Yatra Online, outlined the future of travel powered by AI, innovation, and a customer-first approach.

Key Takeaways:

AI in Travel: While AI enables personalization and automation, panelists stressed maintaining authenticity through human expertise.

Sustainability: Conscious travel, local community engagement, and mindful planning emerged as essential for long-term success.

Domestic Adventure Tourism: With India’s rich natural landscapes, domestic adventure travel was positioned as a key growth frontier.

Tech-Driven Startups: Young entrepreneurs were encouraged to meet rising demand for immersive, tech-enabled travel solutions.

Described as energizing, thought-provoking, and timely, the webinar acted as a much-needed reset for the industry

As India climbs from 99th to 38th in the global adventure tourism rankings, the need to embed safety, sustainability, and standardized practices into the sector has never been more urgent. The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), through its compelling webinar titled “Safety First: Risk Mitigation in Adventure & Outdoor Tourism,” charted a clear roadmap for responsible and resilient growth in the industry.

Held on April 4, 2025, the webinar brought together leading voices from the adventure tourism community to drive forward a collective commitment to safety and preparedness. With a bold vision of positioning India among the global top 10 in adventure tourism by 2034, ATOAI underscored that growth must be supported by strong infrastructure, certified equipment, well-trained guides, safety protocols, and regulatory accountability.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Ajeet Bajaj, President of ATOAI, emphasized that safety is a shared, non-negotiable responsibility. “India is rising fast in global rankings. But with that rise comes a duty—to protect lives, build trust, and set benchmarks,” he said. Mr. Bajaj also called for a cultural shift where safety, sustainability, and standardization form the foundation of the industry's progress.

The session featured expert panelists who addressed key challenges and practical solutions:

1) Mr. Shantanu Pandit, Consultant, EKO India, asserted that risk management must go beyond checklists. He championed realistic risk assessments, activity mapping, SOPs, and continuous training to instill a preventive culture across all levels of operation.

2) Ms. Navita Shyam, Alpine Adventures Trail Tours, spotlighted the importance of medical readiness, urging both operators and tourists to embrace the “3 Ps”—Plan, Prepare, Practice. She called for stronger first-aid training, wilderness rescue capabilities, and comprehensive health disclosures.

3) Mr. Prateek Gupta, ASC 360, highlighted that insurance is essential, not optional. He cautioned that most insurance claims arise from unregistered operators and unsafe practices. “Cutting corners to save costs often compromises safety,” he noted, advocating for strict compliance with equipment standards and staff qualifications.

ATOAI also introduced its “Seven Sigma” model, designed to drive zero-accident operations through certified gear, skilled personnel, and clear safety protocols.

The webinar was insightfully moderated by Ms. Arshdeep Anand, Vice President of ATOAI, who synthesized diverse perspectives into a unified message: Safety must be systematic—not optional.

As India’s adventure tourism sector scales new heights, ATOAI continues to lead the charge in shaping an ecosystem grounded in ethics, responsibility, and international best practices. Its commitment to standardization, skilled training, insurance compliance, and legal accountability paves the way for sustainable and safe growth in the sector.