Leadership at Ministry of Tourism

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About CNA-AT

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has designated the National Nodal Agency to support the Ministry of Tourism in coordinating and evolving strategy and actionable plans and schemes for promoting and developing Adventure Tourism in the Country.

The Central Nodal Agency - Adventure Tourism (CNA-AT) will support the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in preparation of a detailed action plan for implementation of National Strategy for Adventure Tourism 2022 while identifying national - global best practices and preparing the toolkits for their replication by the States.

The CNA-AT will assist MoT in capacity building such as setting up of Resource Centres - Centres of Excellence and also facilitate the adoption of digital technologies for adventure tourism.

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About Adventure Tourism in India

India has dynamic geographical advantage owing to its rich natural & eco-tourism resources:

• 70 percent of the Himalayas
• 7,000 Km of coastline
• Among one of the three countries in the world with both hot and cold deserts.
• Ranks 10th in total area under forest cover
• Ranks 6th in terms of number of recognized UNESCO Natural Heritage sites.

Adventure Tourism can be any tourism activity that includes physical activity, cultural exchange and connection with nature while having an element of risk (real or perceived) which may require special skills and physical effort. Adventure tourism experiences are generally divided into two types: hard adventure and soft adventure.

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Hard Adventure Activities:

Activities that involve a high level of risk and require a greater level of expertise, skills, training and experience are categorised under hard adventure activities. High altitude mountaineering, skydiving, river rafting, scuba diving, paragliding, hang gliding, etc are few examples of hard adventure activities.

Soft Adventure Activities:

Activities that involve an easy to moderate level of risk and which do not require any particular skills or experience are categorised under soft adventure activities. Usually most tourists take soft adventure activities for recreation and fun as it involves a lesser level of risk such as hiking, biking, camping, glamping, etc.

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Excerpts of National Strategy for Adventure Tourism - 2022

National Strategy for Adventure Tourism - 2022 was prepared with a vision for positioning India as a preferred destination for adventure tourism globally.

Mission

To develop an enabling ecosystem for the growth of Adventure Tourism in the Country and create synergies amongst Central Government, State Governments, Private Sector and local communities, for the development of Adventure Tourism.

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Highlights

On the occasion of World Skydiving Day, the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, made history & inaugurated the new state-of-the-art skydiving aircraft. In a spectacular display of courage and enthusiasm, the Minister marked the occasion with a thrilling tandem skydive on the 13th of July. This milestone event took place at Skyhigh—India's premier and only civilian skydiving drop zone, strategically located at the Narnaul Airstrip in Haryana. This historic jump not only highlights India's commitment to promoting adventure tourism but also marks a significant milestone in the country's aero sports sector.

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2nd Tourism Working Group Meeting, Siliguri

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India hosted a Side Event on 'Adventure Tourism as a vehicle for achieving Sustainable Development Goals'. Mrs. Gabriella Stowell (Vice President) from Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), G20 Delegates and Padma Shri Awardee Mr. Ajeet Bajaj, President of Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) presented Global and Indian Perspectives on Adventure Tourism respectively. Mr. Vikram Rai, founder of Vikrun foundation also shared a local perspective on Adventure Tourism. A full day event was organised for domestic industry partners and States of Government of India to deliberate on Tourism in Mission Mode: Advantage Adventure Tourism. Local stakeholders also attended the side events on adventure tourism. An exhibition was opened for the general public from 3rd to 5th April 2023 to increase awareness of India's G20 Presidency and promotion of sustainable practices under Adventure Tourism at the Mall Road, Darjeeling. The Himalayan Drive Car Rally was Flagged Off on 2nd April 2023 from Siliguri.

Chintan Shivir : Tourism in Mission Mode

Central Nodal Agency - Adventure Tourism presented the National Strategies for Adventure Tourism at 'Chintan Shivir - Tourism in Mission Mode' on 28 - 29 March 2023 in New Delhi. The two day event was marked with the presence of Honourable Minister of Tourism Shri. G. Kishan Reddy, Secretary Tourism Shri Arvind Singh, Additional Secretary Tourism Shri. Rakesh Verma and other officials of various ministries, states and industry stakeholders. Focus of the presentation was to disseminate the various Strategic Pillars of the National Strategy for Adventure Tourism.

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Jharkhand District Tourism officers training on Adventure Tourism

Jharkhand Tourism invited CNA - AT for a session in Knowledge Dissemination and Awareness Programme for District Tourism Nodal Officer (DSO) & District Level Tourism Specialist (DLTS). CNA AT showcased the prospects of Adventure Tourism in India and how the Ministry of Tourism is strategizing the development of adventure tourism in the country.

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Launch of Adventure Tourism India Website

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India launched a dedicated website for Adventure Tourism in India - as a one stop shop, providing thorough information of all the adventure activities across India for the global adventure travel enthusiasts.

Announcement of Best Adventure Tourism Destination Competition 2024

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India with support of Central Nodal Agency - Adventure Tourism has announced Best Adventure Tourism Destination Competition 2024 where the participants will be assessed across various parameters keeping in mind the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

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Maharashtra Tourism Conclave 2024

Central Nodal Agency for Adventure Tourism was invited to the Maharashtra State Tourism Conclave by Maharashtra Tourism Board on 7 February 2024. CNA AT discussed the initiatives that Maharashtra Tourism can initiate for the development of Adventure tourism. Also, in the discussion CNA AT had shared the strategies for the convergence of the Ministry of Tourism with the State Tourism department.

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2nd Board Meeting was held on 14th November 2022 under the Chairmanship of Secretary Tourism through an hybrid mode and an Action Taken Report on various items of the 1st meeting of the Board was noted. Based on the inputs received from the stakeholders during the 1st National Adventure Tourism Board Meeting and by studying the Travel trade acts and rules of different Indian States, a draft Model Law was prepared by CNA-AT and circulated to the States for suggestions and corrections.

A draft concept of Adventure Tourism Rescue Centre (ATRC) was presented by CNA-AT on which it was decided that suggestions and feedback may be compiled and further modalities for implementation may be worked out. The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) made a presentation on development of Mega Adventure Trails for trekking and cycling activities.

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3rd Board Meeting was held on 24th January 2023 under the Chairmanship of Secretary Tourism through an hybrid mode and an Action Taken Report on various items of the 2nd meeting of the Board was noted.

A draft of state assessment and ranking criteria was prepared to understand the measures taken on understanding the level of progress made by each State in adventure tourism and the same was circulated to the States. Members discussed the need of building an integration between Academic institutes and Industry organisations in which theory can be taught in institute and industry organisations can take the responsibility of technical skill. CNA-AT briefed members about the dedicated website for the promotion of Adventure Tourism in India.

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4th Board Meeting was held on 25th April 2023 under the Chairmanship of Secretary Tourism through an hybrid mode and an Action Taken Report on various items of the 3rd meeting of the Board was noted.
CNA-AT presented a comparative study of courses by the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) and the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) and highlighted certain aspects which needed to be considered. It was suggested that the recommendations may be sent to THSC and a meeting may be held with them to explain the suggestions.

A suggestion was made to prepare a National Skill Development Plan for Adventure Tourism that will highlight the skills and capacity requirement for Land, Air and Water based adventure activities, existing institutional arrangements and way forward in consultation with concerned line Ministries, States and Industry Stakeholders. The board further deliberated on the Model Adventure Tourism Law.

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5th Board Meeting was held on 11th October 2023 under the Chairmanship of Secretary Tourism through an hybrid mode and an Action Taken Report on various items of the 4th meeting of the Board was noted.CAN-AT submitted a draft Model Law which is being aligned with international best practices such as those followed by New Zealand. It was further informed that the proposal of Adventure Tourism Rescue Centres (ATRC) is being aligned with Disaster Management Framework. Uttarakhand State shared the collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for Adventure Tourism Rescue and it was requested to submit a report on the collaboration and further, a meeting with NDMA may be conducted. Additionally, it was also discussed to host a National Workshop for Capacity Building for Adventure Tourism. Along with crucial discussions regarding developing Mega Trails based on the difficulty level.

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National Conference on Adventure Tourism: Viksit Bharat @2047: Making India a Global Adventure Tourism Hub

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India organised the National Conference on Adventure Tourism from 18th to 19th December 2023 at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat with the theme 'Viksit Bharat@2047: Making India a Global Adventure Tourism Hub'. The aim of the conference was for providing a platform to deliberate and devise strategies and initiatives to make India a Global Adventure Tourism Hub.

India has significant geographical advantage owing to its rich natural & eco-tourism resources. Despite natural wealth and potential, India ranks quite low in global adventure tourism. India holds great potential to become a global marketplace for adventure activities and sports. It has tremendous potential to attract adventure tourists from different parts of the World, from North to South and East to West, as the geographical conditions of the country provide a competitive edge regarding the development of adventure tourism opportunities.

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In order to provide impetus to the development of adventure tourism in the country, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has formulated the National Strategy for Adventure Tourism. The ministry has further notified the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) as Central Nodal Agency for Adventure Tourism to provide technical support to the Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry of Tourism has also set up a National Board for Adventure Tourism under Secretary (Tourism) comprising Central Ministries, States and Industry Stakeholders to provide guidance for the development of the sector.

India has set an ambitious target of USD 3 Trillion tourism economy by 2047. It envisages adventure tourism contributing to USD 800 Billion with India becoming one of the top ten adventure tourism destinations in the world.

To achieve this target, India will require 20 million FTAs and 80 million FTVs for adventure tourism in India, which will yield around USD 90 Billion foreign exchange. This will be supplemented by 4 Bn domestic visits for adventure tourism in the country.

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This journey from 96th position to 10th position globally will need a joint strategic roadmap by the Central Government in partnership with States and Industry.

Director Niche Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Smt. Radha Katyal Narang, during her welcome address, congratulated State Government of Gujarat and Adventure Tour Operator Association of India (ATOAI) for the success of ATOAI's 15th Annual Convention & Pre-Vibrant Gujarat Event organised from 16th-19th December 2023 at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat with the theme of 'Exploring New Frontiers'. The Director acknowledged the progress made in promotion of Adventure Tourism and highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Ministry for promotion and development of Adventure Tourism with focus on sustainability in the country.

A presentation was made on the National Strategy for Adventure Tourism by the Additional Secretary (Tourism), Sh. Rakesh Kumar Verma. Additional Secretary (Tourism) emphasised on capacity building, marketing & promotion and the need of collaboration among Central, States and industry stakeholders.

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The conference saw International perspective on Adventure Tourism by Mike Druce, Coach at Slalom Coach, followed by Industry insights from Padma Shree Awardee Shri. Ajeet Bajaj, President ATOAI.

The following States made the presentations during the conference:

• Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB)
• Arunachal Pradesh
• Gujarat
• MP Tourism corporation
• UT Ladakh
• Kerala
• Sikkim Tourism
• Punjab

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Mega Adventure Trails of India

The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) proposed Mega Adventure Trails of India for Cycling and Trekking activities. A draft Terms of Reference was submitted to the ministry based on the concept presented and it was decided that a professional agency may be engaged for preparing a master plan, strategy and action plan for development of the following mega trails;

Ganga Nature & Heritage Trail
Trail running along the Ganga River from its source at Gaumukh till Ganga Sagar!

The Ganga Nature & Heritage Trail will be passing from Gaumukh - Uttarkashi – Rishikesh – Haridwar - Varanasi - Ganga Sagar and it will cut across Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, covering a total distance of approximately 2700 kms.

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Western Himalaya Mega Trail
Trail running from Patnitop in Jammu till the Tri junction area of Kumaon!

The Western Himalaya Mega Trail will be passing from Patnitop (Jammu), Kashmir, Ladakh, Spiti, Garhwal, Kumaon, Jauljibi, Kalapani (Tri Junction area) & Pithoragarh cutting across Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, covering a distance of approximately 1200 – 1500 kms.

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