In a significant step toward strengthening India’s adventure tourism ecosystem, the Ministry of Tourism (Regional Office – West & Central), Government of India in collaboration with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) successfully concluded a four-day Adventure Guide Training Programme and Adventure Tourism Seminar in Bhopal from March 17–20, 2026.
The initiative brought together policymakers, industry leaders and stakeholders from across the country reinforcing a shared commitment to enhancing safety standards, building professional capacity and accelerating sustainable growth in the sector.
Building skilled & safety-ready adventure professionals
A total of 33 adventure professionals across trekking, mountaineering and water-based disciplines completed an intensive training programme also supported by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board and the Madhya Pradesh Eco Tourism Development Board.
Facilitated by VIVO Healthcare and EKO India, the programme focused on first aid, CPR, wilderness emergency response, risk assessment and crisis management combining classroom learning with hands-on simulations. Participants were equipped with critical life-saving skills to operate effectively in remote and high-risk environments while also promoting ethical and environmentally responsible practices.
Adventure tourism seminar charts future growth roadmap
The programme culminated in a national seminar themed ‘Adventure Strategy for a New Era,’ setting a forward-looking roadmap for the sector.
Ajeet Bajaj, President ATOAI highlighted adventure tourism as one of the fastest-growing segments globally, offering India immense potential for livelihood generation, high-value tourism and balanced regional development. He emphasized the collective vision of positioning India among the top 10 global adventure tourism destinations by 2034 underlining the need for stronger public-private collaboration to ensure safety, trust and world-class experiences.
Strengthening collaboration & state leadership
Delivering the keynote address, Ilayaraja T, IAS, Secretary (Tourism) and Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board emphasized the state’s emergence as a leading adventure tourism destination. He called for deeper institutional collaboration with ATOAI to co-create policies, develop destinations and strengthen capacity-building efforts positioning Madhya Pradesh as a model for integrated and sustainable tourism development.
Industry dialogue & action-oriented insights
A high-level panel discussion on ‘Adventure Strategy for a New Era: Solutions & Roadmap for the Next Decade’ brought together senior leaders from government and industry.
The session was moderated by Milind Bhide (Executive Committee Member & Chapter Chair – West & Central Region, ATOAI).
Panelists:
o Dr. Arvind Abhay Bedekar – Additional Managing Director, MPTB
o L. Krishnamoorthy – CEO, MPEDB & APCCF (Wildlife)
o Nirat Bhatt – Hon. Treasurer, ATOAI
o Aly Rashid – Executive Director, Jehan Numa Palace
Key focus areas included strengthening safety frameworks, regulatory reforms, adoption of global best practices, use of technology and AI and investment-led destination development.
Driving industry growth with practical insights
The seminar also featured:
o A business masterclass by Daksh Sharma, Co-Founder Iffort on leveraging AI and digital marketing for scalable business growth
o An expert session by Nirat Bhatt, Hon. Treasurer on scaling adventure businesses without compromising safety Strong Participation & Way Forward
The event saw participation from over 80 delegates including tour operators, adventure clubs, training institutions, eco-tourism stakeholders and hospitality partners.
This initiative marks a major milestone in the professionalization of India’s adventure tourism sector. Key outcomes include enhanced safety standards, strengthened industry capabilities and support for progressive policy development further positioning India as a global hub for safe, sustainable and high-quality adventure tourism.
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