India: Adventure unplugged

The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) supported by the Ministry of Tourism and India Tourism, Sydney, showcased a wide range of tour products in a series of mid September roadshows that included Auckland, Wellington, Melbourne and Sydney.

More than 130 travel industry professionals and media attended the Sydney roadshow and workshop which was held in the Four Seasons Hotel.

Leena Nandan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India and Tejbir Singh, President, ATOAI, led the 10 member delegation from India.

Making her first visit to Australia, Ms Nandan said that while culture and history are the best known lures of India the diverse country offers a world of adventure opportunities.

“It’s our constant effort to promote the different dimensions of India,” she added.

Krishna Arya, Regional Director (Australasia) India Tourism, Sydney said that the growth of tourist arrivals to India from Australia in 2008 (148,055) was up by nine percent from the previous year.

With an intensive and all round promotional activity plan for the next 12 months we are hoping for a considerable increase in tourist arrivals, Arya added.

Following formalities, travel agents were updated about a wide variety of adventure products during business sessions.

Mohan Tickoo, Managing Director, KVT Adventure, Culture and Nature Tours, said that he was very enthused about new student cultural exchange tours introduced this year.

Designed for students from 10 to 15 years of age, the program puts groups of at least 15 foreign students in Indian schools where they work in tandem with local students on cultural or environmental based projects for a minimum of 10 days.

Meanwhile, Vishal Singh, Managing Director, Royal Expeditions, is preparing for the first departure of the Snow Leopard

Trek in March 2010.

Limited to 12 participants, the tour will be led through remote regions of Ladakh in northern India by the only person in the world to hold a PHD in Snow Leopards!

We plan to operate this niche trekking tour just once a year, Singh said.

Another new trek planned to set off for the first time in June/July 2010 will include several highlights of Ladakh.

Guests will be able to ride on yaks to see