ATOAI - Adventure Tour Operators Association of India

Story 1

Indian Adventure Tourism Safety Guidelines
A Turning Point in Indian Adventure Tourism

On May 31, 2018, Indian adventure tourism reached a historic milestone. In New Delhi, Shri K.J. Alphons, the then Hon’ble Minister of Tourism (I/C), unveiled the Safety and Quality Norms for Adventure Tourism, marking a bold step toward safer, world-class adventure experiences.

Crafted with the expertise of ATOAI, these guidelines set minimum safety standards across land, air, and water activities. They weren’t just rules they redefined adventure with responsibility, promoting risk management, professional training, and global best practices.

States across India swiftly adopted these norms, integrating them into policies, launching training programs, and empowering local operators. This nationwide movement strengthened safety culture and built a new era of trusted, sustainable adventure tourism.

What began as a policy became a revolution. Today, India stands tall as a beacon of responsible adventure tourism, driven by innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Coverage:

Story 2

From Vision to Victory – Border Tourism Reimagined

India’s remotest border regions long overlooked are now emerging as vibrant adventure destinations, thanks to a pioneering initiative by the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism. Under the Border Tourism and Vibrant Villages Program (VVP), ATOAI is leading a bold national movement to transform India’s frontiers into thriving hubs of eco, adventure, and community-based tourism.

In October 2023, ATOAI conducted transformative expeditions to Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, with the support of the Indian Army. These missions unlocked untapped tourism potential, strengthened civil-military collaboration, and assessed 19 proposed Vibrant Villages for sustainable tourism development.

What began as familiarization trips has evolved into a powerful model of tourism with purpose focusing on sustainability, cultural preservation, gender inclusion, and local empowerment. From shaping policy through high-level stakeholder meetings to backing the Indian Army’s ‘Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan’ portal, ATOAI is creating a new blueprint for responsible tourism in sensitive border zones.

The Vision Ahead : ATOAI invites all stakeholders to be part of this transformative journey—where every trek, raft, and trail builds not just tourism, but national pride, livelihoods, and lasting peace. This is not just about visiting the borders -it’s about empowering them. This is India reclaiming its edges-with purpose, passion, and pride.

Story 3

Advancing Responsible Adventure Tourism in India: ATOAI’s Mission in Action

In the rugged mountains, dense forests, and wild rivers of India, adventure calls louder than ever. But behind every thrilling experience lies a deep commitment to safety, sustainability, and responsibility-values championed by the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI).

In partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, ATOAI is shaping a new era for Indian adventure tourism—one that is world-class, eco-conscious, and inclusive. Building Capacity, Setting Standards. Through regional seminars held across India from Gujarat to Chennai to Himachal ATOAI brought together adventure operators, guides, and experts for hands-on training in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, safety, and sustainable practices. These events fostered collaboration, improved standards, and laid the foundation for a more professional and responsible adventure tourism ecosystem.

Raising the Bar with RATG

The Responsible Adventure Tourism Guide (RATG) Course became a flagship initiative. In just four days, guides were transformed—not only certified in life-saving techniques and environmental ethics, but also empowered to be ambassadors of responsible tourism. Their pledge to protect nature, respect communities, and lead with integrity is reshaping the face of Indian adventure travel.

Impact that Echoes Beyond the Trail

From Darjeeling to Chennai, these programs have trained dozens of guides, inspired hundreds, and set a new benchmark for what it means to be an adventure professional in India.

A Future Rooted in Responsibility

As ATOAI continues to expand its reach across India, the vision remains clear and grounded in purpose: To champion adventure that uplifts, protects, and inspires.

Explore. Respect. Protect. That’s the ATOAI way.

Story 4

ATOAI Women's Collective : A Journey of Empowerment in Adventure Tourism

The ATOAI Women’s Collective (AWC) is a pioneering initiative by the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), dedicated to empowering women in the adventure tourism industry. More than just a network, AWC is a movement -built to ensure that women are visible, valued, and leading across every landscape of adventure.

Every year, hundreds of women across India complete rigorous adventure training -from Basic and Advanced Mountaineering Courses (BMC/AMC) to the Method of Instruction (MOI). These women are driven, skilled, and eager to contribute. Yet many struggle to find a foothold in the adventure tourism ecosystem.

That’s where AWC steps in

Created to bridge the gap between training and opportunity, AWC connects aspiring and experienced women whether they are entrepreneurs, certified guides, or passionate newcomers to a supportive ecosystem. It is a space where women can mentor and be mentored, share opportunities, and build meaningful networks that propel careers forward.

AWC is not just an initiative: It is a culture of courage, collaboration, and change.

Because adventure knows no gender, and AWC is here to ensure that women are not only part of the journey but leading it.

For more information Visit : https://www.atoai.org/atoai-womens-collective

Story 5

Conventions: A Legacy of Growth and Innovation

With a deep commitment to advancing the adventure tourism sector, ATOAI founded a tradition of organizing annual conventions—events designed not only to celebrate adventure tourism but also to shape its future in India.

These conventions have taken place in some of the country’s most iconic locations, each venue carefully selected to showcase the stunning landscapes and natural beauty that make adventure tourism so unique. But these events were never just about scenic views—they became dynamic melting pots of ideas, where key players from the adventure tourism industry, government, and media came together to share their experiences, forge connections, and collaborate on the sector’s future.

The impact of each convention went far beyond the event itself. Over the years, they have played a pivotal role in guiding the evolution of adventure tourism in India. New partnerships were formed, collaborations deepened, and significant advancements were made, all contributing to the growth of the sector. As the years passed, these conventions became a cornerstone of India’s adventure tourism landscape, driving the industry forward with a collective vision of innovation, sustainability, and progress.

You can explore more about the ATOAI conventions held so far by visiting the link

Story 6

Adventure Edu Camp (AEC)

ATOAI organized its highly successful Adventure Edu Camp (AEC) series after a brief hiatus. These camps served as a valuable B2B platform for its members, focusing on educating the general travel trade community on effectively selling adventure travel products to their existing clientele. The Edu Camps also provided an excellent opportunity for networking, allowing sellers to connect with around 100 prospective travel agent buyers through dedicated table spaces.

The Adventure Edu Camps were held in the following cities in 2018:

· Mumbai - 16th March 2018

· Pune - 14th May 2018

· New Delhi - 31st August 2018

Participants had the chance to secure their spots as one of the early 15 sellers by making advance payments, ensuring they could take full advantage of the networking opportunities provided by these events.

Few Pics:

Story 7

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC), in collaboration with PATA, ATOAI and OTOAI hosted an exclusive media discussion on 14th January 2025 at the iconic Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi. The event brought together leading voices from the travel and tourism industry to explore the dynamic transformation of India’s tourism landscape and its future opportunities across outbound, inbound, and adventure tourism sectors. President ATOAI, delivered a compelling presentation showcasing how India’s diverse landscapes are attracting adventure seekers with safe, sustainable, and thrilling experiences.

Story 8

The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) successfully hosted its inaugural AdventureNEXT event in India from December 3rd to 5th, marking the event's debut in Asia. Held in Madhya Pradesh, the event was supported by the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) and hosted by MP Tourism.

AdventureNEXT aimed to empower ATOAI members by showcasing emerging adventure destinations and offering region-specific educational workshops. The event provided delegates with valuable opportunities for professional growth, business development, and exploration of Madhya Pradesh's vast potential as the "heart of India" for adventure tourism.

Story 9

In 2019, the PATA Adventure & Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart took place from February 13th to 16th. This event was a collaborative effort between the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) and the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB).ATOAI aimed to benefit its members by driving product development and attracting both international and high-value domestic tourists, thus positioning Uttarakhand as a premier adventure tourism destination on both national and global stages. The event also offered members the chance to participate in familiarization (FAM) tours, providing firsthand experience of the region’s adventure offerings.