The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) held its 15th Annual Adventure Tourism Convention 2023, at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar from December 16–18, 2023. The event, supported by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat, and attended by close to 300 delegates, was a precursor to the forthcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January 2024.
– Debabrata Ray
The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Pema Khandu, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Mulubhai Bera, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Gujarat, Sourabh Pardhi, Managing Director and Commissioner of Gujarat Tourism, Hareet Shukla, Secretary of Tourism, Government of Gujarat, Khayati Nayak, Manager, Niche Tourism Gujarat, Anil Oraw, Regional Director, North East, Ministry of Tourism, Lt. Gen. Rakesh Kapoor, VSM Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Padmashree Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, Vaibhav Kala, Convention Chairman and Vice President, ATOAI and Tejbir Singh Anand, Sr. Vice President, ATOAI. Various central and state officials and government representatives also attended the convention. Ajeet Bajaj, welcomed the attendees and highlighted ATOAI’s collaboration with tourism bureaus to enhance adventure tourism guidelines nationwide.
Throughout the day, the convention featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, and experience-sharing sessions on adventure tourism and industry growth. Pema Khandu emphasised the rich potential of the state and the Northeastern region for adventure tourism. He commended the efforts of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi in driving tourism through initiatives like ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ and expressed the goal of developing vibrant villages for sustainable tourism.
Mulubhai Bera discussed the transformation of Gujarat into a leading adventure destination under the leadership of PM Modi. He credited initiatives launched during Prime Minister Modi’s tenure, resulting in accolades like the ‘Best Tourism Village’ Award from UNWTO for Dhordo and UNESCO declaring Garba as ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.’ He highlighted the state’s diverse attractions and the significant role of adventure tourism in the economy. Hareet Shukla spoke about Gujarat’s leading position as a tourist destination and its efforts to accelerate the tourism sector.
Fitness enthusiast and actor Milind Soman delivered a special address, emphasising the importance of adventure tourism in the country. The convention also featured a panel discussion on ‘The Adventure Trilogy: Mega Trails, Border Tourism, and Vibrant Villages,’ moderated by Lt. Rakesh Kapoor. Various presentations on Gujarat tourism, Punjab tourism, and adventure tourism in Jammu and Kashmir were made during the event,
As a part of the initiative to boost tourism in the state, several Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were signed in preparation for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January 2024. These MoUs, totaling Rs. 770 crores, were focused on knowledge-sharing for adventure tourism, film shooting, and infrastructure development. The upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit is anticipated to witness the fruition of these efforts, propelling the state’s tourism industry to new heights.
Amidst the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Statue of Unity, more than just an exploration of thrilling adventures, this convention also stood as a beacon of sustainability, setting a benchmark by committing to be a carbon-negative and single-use plastic-free event. Pema Khandu, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh has also invited ATOAI to organise its 16th Annual Convention in the breathtaking landscapes of Arunachal Pradesh.
 were signed in preparation for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January 2024. These MoUs, totaling Rs. 770 crores, were focused on knowledge-sharing for adventure tourism, film shooting, and infrastructure development. The upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit is anticipated to witness the fruition of these efforts, propelling the state's tourism industry to new heights.){kind=link}