The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) will hold its 16th annual convention in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, from December 3 to 8, 2024. The event aims to position the northeastern state as a prime destination for adventure tourism in India.
“Arunachal Pradesh is India’s ‘Last Shangri-La’ and our next big adventure tourism hotspot,” said Ajeet Bajaj, President of ATOAI, during a media briefing in New Delhi. “The convention will explore the state’s vast potential for adventure tourism and unveil our roadmap for promoting it as a leading destination for responsible and sustainable adventure travel.”
Pasang Dorjee Sona, Arunachal Pradesh’s Tourism Minister, remarked, “The convention will serve as a platform to spotlight adventure activities like river rafting, paragliding, and mountain biking. It will also highlight the state’s significant progress in infrastructure and connectivity. We aim to capture global interest in Arunachal as a premier adventure destination where nature and culture thrive in harmony.”
The event is expected to draw 250–300 delegates and will include several familiarization (fam) trips to picturesque destinations such as Zimithang, Shergaon, and Chug Valley, showcasing the region’s diverse offerings.
Oken Tayeng, MLA and Convention Chairperson, who called Arunachal “a playground of possibilities” and underlined the need for a sustainable roadmap to unlock its adventure tourism potential.
Adding to the evening’s momentum, Arun Srivastava, Joint Director General, Ministry of Tourism, highlighted the importance of collaboration in developing adventure tourism in India. He noted, “India’s natural assets make it a top contender for global adventure tourism and Arunachal is a shining gem of the country.”
Ranphoa Ngowa, Secretary of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, further emphasized the state’s readiness to host global adventure seekers, pointing out its unique combination of untouched rivers, dense forests and rich tribal heritage.
Vaibhav Kala, Senior Vice President of ATOAI emphasized the role of the convention in reshaping perceptions of adventure tourism in India. “This is the start of a fabulous journey for Arunachal Pradesh to become one of the top adventure travel destinations on the planet, rivalling regions in Peru, Chile, Costa Rica and many more: with a roadmap for developing adventure tourism in the State,” he remarked.
To further its efforts, the Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Department plans to launch an extensive marketing campaign across various media platforms to promote the state’s unique adventure tourism experiences. In 2023, Arunachal Pradesh welcomed 976,042 tourists, a figure poised to grow with these initiatives.