India’s adventure tourism sector is entering a defining era, with growing international recognition for its vast natural and cultural assets. Ajeet Bajaj, President, Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), shares his vision of making India one of the world’s top ten adventure travel destinations by 2034 and explains how the association is driving standards of safety, sustainability, and professionalism across the country.
Priyanka Saxena Ray
India’s potential as an adventure powerhouse
India is truly blessed with every conceivable geographical terrain — from the mighty Himalayas and the Thar Desert to lush forests and a 7,000-kilometre-long coastline. We are also home to an incredible diversity of flora, fauna, and avifauna, which makes our nation one of the most exciting adventure destinations in the world. According to the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024, India ranks among the top ten countries globally for its natural and cultural resources, reaffirming what we have always believed at ATOAI — that the potential is limitless. Our vision is to see India among the ten best adventure travel destinations globally by 2034.
Safety, training, and sustainability
At ATOAI, we are working closely with the Ministry of Tourism and several state governments to strengthen safety and professionalism in adventure tourism. The Adventure Safety Guidelines issued by ATOAI and endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism have set a strong benchmark for responsible operations across the country. We are also focused on building a skilled and safety-conscious workforce. Our training programmes equip adventure guides with essential knowledge in first aid, risk management, sustainability, and operational excellence.
Policy and incentives for responsible adventure growth
To make India a global leader in adventure tourism, we need a unified National Adventure Tourism Policy and Safety Act. Such a framework should make registration, licensing, and adherence to international safety standards mandatory. I also believe the government can encourage responsible operators through financial incentives such as soft loans, GST holidays, and tax rebates, as well as by allowing duty-free import of certified adventure equipment.
Creating mega trails and climate-resilient adventure circuits with better digital permit systems and connectivity will open up remote regions responsibly.
Global platforms like the World Travel Market (WTM) provide us with an excellent opportunity to highlight India’s adventure potential. Our goal is to position India as a safe, sustainable, and community-driven adventure hub.
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