In The Mood For Adventure

-

‘Let’s make India the adventure capital of the world’.

That’s the clarion call given by ATOAI (Adventure Tour Operators Association of India), and judging by their strength and commitment, chances are that this will happen.

With ‘Emerging Pathways’ as it’s theme, the 13th Annual Convention of ATOAI, held in Kumarakom, Kerala, from September  18 - 21, 2017, attracted some 300 delegates from all over and India, and presented sharp focus on India’s enormous adventure offerings, and the industry that harnesses it. The convention’s agenda included issues such as policy; capacity-creation; responsible tourism; and marketing.

The convention was kicked-off with an impressive inauguration led by Mr. Kadagampally Surendran, Honourable Minister of Tourism, Kerala, along with Mr. Satyajeet Rajan, Director General Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, and Dr. Venu V, Principal Secretary Tourism, Kerala.

Spear-headed by Capt. Swadesh Kumar, President ATOAI, and his dynamic team, the convention got down to business, and session after session espoused the cause of adventure promotion in India.

Kumar put things in perspective - “Every country has some adventure to offer, but India offers almost every adventure and active holiday experience one can seek. Even as the definition of adventure has expanded, India has upped its game to offer all this. From mostly being a mountain and wildlife destination, the country now offers much more: Skiing, water - rafting, treks, road trips, off-road adventure, biking, cycling, scuba - diving, river - cruising, angling, bungee - jumping, ballooning, caving, birding, adventure parks, nature retreats, culture, food, and mountaineering. At any given time of the year, one can indulge in these activities at some location in the country.”

ATOAI is inviting all stakeholders to join in the campaign to make India the adventure capital of the world. These include Government, tourism boards, industry, experts and media.

Kumar added that in order to achieve their desired objectives, ATOAI has proposed to the Ministry of Tourism that the year 2018 be declared a ‘Year of Adventure in India,’.

Rajesh Ojha, Convention Chairman, was equally upbeat: “Since 1994, ATOAI has been at the forefront of influencing policy, helping members create capacity, training, establishing safety standards, ensuring sustainable practices and marketing. The year 2017 marks a watershed when the association has decided to raise the bar.”

Well organised and well attended, the convention included sessions aimed at achieving these goals; networking; exhibits by state tourism boards and industry players; and FAM trips and a day of adventure that showcased Kerala’s unique topography and tourist attributes.  

A significant step was the great support extended by Kerala Tourism. Dr. Venu V,  Principal Secretary Tourism, Kerala, not only declared their full support to the adventure tourism sector, but also advocated and promoted ‘responsible tourism’. Stating that ‘responsible tourism’ was a principle that governed all their working,  
Dr. Venu voiced optimism about the future of adventure and general tourism in Kerala and elsewhere.

The convention was superbly handled by Deepika Chowdhry of Candid India, and her team, who worked tirelessly to ensure that the sessions went off smoothly.

ATOAI has ensured that its annual convention and events travel to different parts of the country to connect all stakeholders in the adventure tourism sector, and to focus attention and publicity on host destinations.


ATOAI
The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India was founded in 1994 with a handful of members. Now it is a national body comprising hundreds of members from across the country and abroad, actively promoting adventure and eco-tourism in India. The association was founded with an aim to create awareness about the immense potential for adventure tourism in India, and to harness this potential in a safe, sensitive and environment - friendly manner.
                                

KUMARAKOM
The convention couldn’t have found a better location than Kumarakom. Nestled on the banks of the giant Lake Vembanad, Kumarakom is a gateway to Kerala’s renowned backwaters.

Our boat ride! What can I say? You can sail in houseboats inspired by long-ago kettuvalloms, but fully fitted with modern luxuries.  Thus surrounded by the captivating lull of the lake, elite holiday seekers from across the globe take pleasure in admiring the water and foliage that proliferates the region. Staff swirl around with attentive politeness, and refreshments come and go.

We crossed Lake Vembanad and entered a wide backwater. The shoreline closed in, the trees became larger, and ‘land’ activities came into focus. Paddy fields as green as green can get; crooked coconut trees swaying lazily or jutting out into and over the water; the occasional cottage hugging the shore; and fishermen plying their trade.

The ride was sheer bliss. And one felt that adventure awaited one around every bend in the backwaters.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dresden Dream

-
Sailing upstream under the ‘Blue Wonder Bridge’ aboard one of the world’s oldest paddle-steamers, taking in the beauty of the Elbe Valley, was definitely my kind of holiday, I told myself snugly as I settled down on a seat that was strategically placed to provide pristine views. And indeed, the views were pristine. Grand city monuments looked down on expansive green steppes that tapered down to the river on both sides, as we chugged along. It didn’t take me long to realize that they don’t call Dresden the ‘Florence of the Elbe’ for nothing. Set against a scenic background is an inexhaustible potential of art, science, and dynamic industry; reason enough for ranking the city as the ninth largest international tourist centre. It is one big panorama, that makes for one big adventure. Their domes and steeples piercing the sky, imposing old structures greet one at every turn. And the first timer’s first impression is shaped by the skilled architecture that’s created a f...
Read more

Biarritz: Balancing Basque Headiness

-
A silver necklace of sand along the blue of the ocean, it does what it was always meant to do. Bask in the bright sunshine and unfold its myriad charms. There is a certain savoir foire in this town that begins where the Atlantic Ocean ends. To say that it’s a rather special place is to state the obvious, but it is special. Biarritz was made for holidays! It was the whales and not the elegant 19 th Century ladies who were the first sea-bathers here. A tiny fishing port in the Middle - Ages, it saw dramatic change with the new craze for sea bathing. The Empress Eugenie exalted the town, turning it into Europe’s most fashionable resort. Converging here were the crowned heads of the entire continent, to throw themselves into the waves and into an endless round of sophisticated soirees, romantic promenades and glittering balls.  Following them were the stars of the arts and high society who played hard on the green grass of the golf courses and the green baize of the gam...
Read more

The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat

-
By Inder Raj Ahluwalia A mere 8 Kms from the Kolkata Airport, in close proximity to the International Convention Centre, Eco Park and the business hub of Salt Lake & Rajarhat, The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat has established itself as a pivotal oasis of service and comfort. A Different ‘Feeling’ By all accounts, this is a hotel with a ‘difference’ as discerning guests learn to their delight. Checking in at the hotel brings quick rewards. The focus on wellness means guests have a choice to be pampered with an invigorating massage at the Heavenly Spa by Westin, indulge in Westin Workout facilities, or just enjoy a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool. It’s all nice and easy and its all available every day, round the year. Rooms With A View 304 elegantly appointed, spacious guest rooms and suites providing a panoramic view of the city, ensures all guests have the proverbial ‘roof above their head’.  With 27,000 square feet of state – of –the - art banqueting and c...
Read more

The Kikar Lodge

-
  By Inder Raj Ahluwalia Food tasty enough to drive a dieter up the wall; comfort levels you normally labour to seek; service that’s a mere whisper away; and an ambience that slowly but surely gets hold of your imagination.   It’s the kind of indulgence you don’t find easily, but can get very used to. I don’t mind admitting that the couple of days we spent there were a blur of sheer indulgence and epicurean delights. The fact is that The Kikar Lodge is a world apart. 1,800 acres of scrub, shrub, forests, hills, escarpments and valleys ensure you don’t get claustrophobic in a hurry, and can stretch your legs with gay abandon. The lodge itself is also a sprawling affair with its rooms and suites overlooking the swimming pools, lake and forest. The Pheasant’s Nest is what they call the simply-appointed but vast restaurant that dishes out superb food; The Den is where you can sit in a cosy environment and gaze at prints and photos that line the walls; while The Watering Hole i...
Read more

OMAN SPECIAL

-
by Inder Raj Ahluwalia If you’ve been waiting to experience the delights of the Arabian Nights, just cast a glance at Oman. Uninterrupted sunshine bathes a unique blend of magnificent Arabian heritage. And welcoming one is tradition, hospitality, discovery and adventure. Not only will it fulfill your fantasies, you’ll come away relishing the entire experience. SHOP TILL YOU DROP: For a taste of genuine local flavor, visit Muscat’s Muttarah, a busy commercial centre renowned for its cornice, girdle- shaped promenade, bay and harbour with romantic old dhows and visiting cruise ships and naval vessels. Lining the promenade are offices, shops, cafes, trading-houses and souks, notably the Muttarah Souk with some shops the size of a small lounge, others no bigger than a walk-in closet. Meander through the maze of this market souk with its seemingly endless corridors of little shops, wade through stalls of vegetables and dates, and see the day’s catch on display in the busy fish souk. I...
Read more
-
Regensburg Rejuvenation  By Inder Raj Ahluwalia Take a pause before you take a bow. Let the picture sink in slowly, or else it will be wasted. That’s the kind of place it is. Smart shops featuring designer labels peer out of the gothic vaults and narrow medieval alleys, while cafes and restaurants proliferate all over town, especially along the fast-flowing Danube. At the end of it all one is left marveling at the depth of quality retained in such a small urban area. There’s no ambiguity here. It didn’t take me long to get a sense of the quality that defines the city. It’s a centre of history and beauty. From picturesque old alleys you step out into wide streets and squares flanked by splendid castles and patrician palaces that bear witness to almost a thousand years of history. You stroll along the river’s banks and onto the two islands in the river, and gaze at the pretty skyline. Not surprisingly, tourists flock here from the world over, and shopping, dining-out, and old-fashion...
Read more

Simply Stonehenge!

-
In a way, it turned out to be exactly as advertised. Grim, sinister, hauntingly scenic, it loomed up on the horizon, squatting on a gently rolling hill, waiting to tell its story. As if by design, we got the ‘perfect’ backdrop. It was cold and gray, with a fine drizzle and just a hint of sleet. And the wind was the way winds often tend to be. Cruel! I’m convinced that much of the site’s charm stems from its complete isolation, so loaded with suggestion.   And its strong, indelible historical link with harsh, dark days far gone by, when primitive man strove to sustain himself in difficult conditions.   The topography and setting could well be the prop for a Shakespearean tragedy. The monument squats all by itself- a bit awkwardly I think - on the top of a gentle incline, commanding fine views of the valleys and meadows of Wiltshire downland.   Mysterious and desolate,   it reveals the remains of a prehistoric monument that wa...
Read more

‘Kuch Kuch' Kaohsiung

-
It was a quiet, no-fuss entry into a quiet, no-fuss city! I’d arrived from Taipei, courtesy the Taiwan High Speed Rail, and the 96 – minute ride – with a stop at Taichung – was ‘smooth as flowers’. The High Speed Rail network is a marvel of Taiwan’s engineering prowess, and the super-fast trains literally glide across the country. My brief visit made one thing amply clear. Kaohsiung is a city of substance. My hotel,  The Splendor Kaohsiung,  provided a perfect setting. Taiwan’s highest building until overtaken by Taipei 101, the hotel is still the highest in the country, and the view from its Tuntex 85 Skytower is truly stunning. While three corners focus on the sprawling city, one presents a pristine view of the calm, pale blue sea and Kao Port. The Skytower’s got it all – telescopes, seating, signages, and a refreshment counter. All I had to do was get into a special elevator to be whisked up for the visual treats. My city exploration was a continuation of the treat....
Read more