The Presenting Partner of ATM 2024 was Meghalaya Tourism in association with Incredible India. ATM 2024 was powered by Gold Partners Odisha Tourism, Uttarakhand Tourism, Bodoland Tourism and Uttar Pradesh Tourism.
The Financial Express.com Adventure Tourism Meet (ATM) 2024 was held at the State Convention Centre, Shillong, on October 4, 2024 and highlighted the vast potential of adventure tourism in India. The Presenting Partner of ATM 2024 was Meghalaya Tourism in association with Incredible India. ATM 2024 was powered by Gold Partners Odisha Tourism, Uttarakhand Tourism, Bodoland Tourism and Uttar Pradesh Tourism.
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Inaugural Session
The event kicked off with a session themed “Revitalising Local Economies Through Adventure Tourism”. Esteemed panellists Mr Oken Tayeng, MLA from Arunachal Pradesh and Member, National Tourism Advisory Council (NTAC), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Mr Ajit Rana, Director of Overlander India; and Mr E. Banlumlang Blah, President, North East India Tourism Confederation (NEITC) and Tour Operators Association of Meghalaya (TOAM), discussed the transformative power of adventure tourism in boosting local economies. The panel, which was moderated by Mr Raj Basu, Convenor, Association for Conservation & Tourism, discussed the role of tourism in creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and preserving the environment. Special emphasis was placed on how adventure tourism can attract visitors seeking unique, authentic experiences while contributing to the socioeconomic upliftment of local communities.
The inaugural ceremony commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Chief Guest, Smt. Pravati Parida, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, and Guest of Honour, Bah Paul Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Meghalaya. This was followed by a welcome note from Mr Sanjay Sindhwani, CEO of Indian Express Online Media, and a welcome address and presentation by Mr Cyril V. Darlong Diengdoh, Director of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya. In a special video message, Mr Jaiveer Singh, Minister of Tourism, Uttar Pradesh, highlighted the role of adventure tourism in state development. Dr Dharma Narayan Das, Hon’ble Executive Member, Tourism Department, Bodoland Territorial Council, Assam, delivered a special address on the tourism offerings of Bodoland. ATM 2024 was also attended by Ms Moytre Das, Deputy Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Assam.
In his Welcome Note, Mr Sanjay Sindhwani, CEO, Indian Express Online Media, said, “Last year when we had assembled here, the theme was sustainability. This year, it is adventure. We have so many stalwarts from the industry here, and this is a great beginning.”
In his Welcome Address & Presentation, Mr Cyril V. Darlong Diengdoh, Director of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, and MD, Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation, welcomed all the participants, including the many tourism students who were in attendance, and who he hailed as the “entrepreneurs of the future.” “The objective of the Adventure Tourism Meet is to ideate and collaborate to take the entire region forward,” he added.
In his Speech, Guest of Honour Bah Paul Lyngdoh, Minister of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya also emphasized a regional approach. “We need synergy. We need to see that our mutual dependence makes us also independent and grow together,” he said.
Chief Guest: Smt. Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister & Minister of Tourism, Government of Odisha began her speech with an invocation to Lord Jagannath. She also praised the matrilineal traditions of Meghalaya. “After a long time, the Government of Odisha is promoting adventure tourism in the state. We are going to develop adventure tourism in Odisha with all the learnings I’m getting from the Adventure Tourism Meet 2024, Shillong,” she said.
In his Special Address, Dr Dharma Narayan Das, Executive Member, Tourism Department, Bodoland Territorial Council, Assam, put the spotlight on the tourism attractions of Bodoland, especially Manas National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a biodiversity hotspot. “The world is changing and travellers these days are much more conscious of their impact on the environment. Bodoland with its raw beauty and untapped potential is ready to offer an unparalleled adventure experience,” he said.
Panel Discussions and Presentations
Throughout the day, ATM 2024 featured multiple panel discussions and presentations by leading adventure tourism experts. The session on “The Unlimited Adventure Potential of Meghalaya” saw industry figures Mr Brian Kharpran Daly, Caving Adventure Expert; Mr Jason Jarman Lamare, Co-Founder, Pioneer Adventure Tours; Mr Shahwar Hussain, Director, Chain Reaction India; and Mr Eugene Niangti, Shillong Motorsport share insights on the state’s adventure tourism opportunities. The session was moderated by Mr Aaron Pereira, Deputy Associate Editor, Indian Express Online Media. Each panellist provided insights into their respective fields of adventure tourism, outlining the challenges and opportunities that exist in Meghalaya. The session underscored the importance of marketing Meghalaya as a top adventure destination.
Key presentations at ATM 2024 included talks on Meghalaya’s famed caving adventures by Mr Brian Kharpran Daly and “Tales of an Explorer” by Mr Mandip Singh Soin, FRGS, Founder & MD, Ibex Expeditions, a pioneering figure in Indian adventure tourism. Additionally, Col. Anand Swaroop’s engaging talk, “India’s Tryst with Polar Journeys”, captivated the audience with stories of his polar explorations.
The fireside chat on “Women in Adventure” was a notable highlight, featuring inspiring conversations with women achievers like cave explorer Ms. Shelley Diengdoh and mountaineer Ms. Dolyne Kharbhih. The chat was anchored by Mr Aaron Pereira, Deputy Associate Editor, Indian Express Online Media.
The final session was themed “The Future of Adventure Tourism”, which gathered a panel of industry leaders to discuss the road ahead for India’s adventure tourism sector. The panellists were Mr. Raj Basu, Convenor, Association for Conservation & Tourism; Mr Ajit Rana, Director, Overlander India; Mr Ashish Kumar, Co-Chair, FICCI Travel Technology & Digital Committee; and Mr Sanjay Sharma, CEO & Co-Founder, Organic Hideaways Pvt. Ltd. The session was moderated by Mr Oken Tayeng, MLA, Arunachal Pradesh. The session delved into the latest trends and technologies shaping adventure tourism, as well as the policy and infrastructure improvements required to support the industry’s growth. The panellists shared their thoughts on how India can tap into its vast adventure tourism potential in the coming years.
A highlight of ATM 2024 was a skilling workshop for adventure tour operators and stakeholders by Mr. Mandip Singh Soin, FRGS, Founder & MD, Ibex Expeditions and Founding President, Responsible Tourism Society of India (RTSOI) on “Developments in Responsible Adventure Tourism.” Participants were introduced to the best practices for promoting sustainable adventure experiences that respect local communities and natural ecosystems. Mr. Soin also emphasized the importance of safety, training, and certification in adventure tourism, underscoring the need for operators to align with global standards to enhance credibility and attract a wider clientele. The workshop concluded with an interactive session, where participants engaged in discussions about how these practices could be implemented in their regions, especially in the Northeast.
Performances by local musical troupe Na U Bnai enlivened the proceedings of the day.
ATM 2024 concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Mukesh Singh, Sr. VP & Revenue Head of Indian Express Online Media, who expressed gratitude to all participants and stakeholders for making the event a resounding success. He emphasized the importance of continuous collaboration and innovation to make India a leading destination for adventure tourism.
The Financial Express.com Adventure Tourism Meet 2024 has set the stage for continued collaboration in promoting adventure tourism across the length and breadth of India.
