Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Dec 17: Asserting that Kashmir stands at the heart of India’s adventure growth story, president of Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) Ajeet Bajaj on Wednesday said that adventure tourism has become a 683 billion dollar global industry, outpacing even the textile sector/
Speaking at the 17th Annual Convention of ATOAI at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, Bajaj said, “Jammu and Kashmir is symbolic of India’s adventure resurgence and is heart of India’s adventure growth story.”
Referring to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Baja said, “It’s wonderful to be in a state where the CM himself is an adventurer, a marathon runner, skier, cyclist and rafter.”
He said, “J&K is a second home to me. Every winter I have skied in Gulmarg, every summer I have trekked in Kashmir’s wilderness.”
Bajaj said adventure tourism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing global sectors, valued at 683 billion dollar, compared to 667 billion dollar for the textile industry.
“According to pre-pandemic projections, adventure tourism was to become a trillion-dollar industry by 2024. Given the rebound, we should reach that milestone within two years,” he said.
He noted that India’s ranking in the Adventure Tourism Development Index has improved to 38th among 190 countries, but the vision is clear: “We want India to be among the top 10 adventure destinations by 2034 and we are moving steadily in that direction.”
Bajaj said the industry’s progress is backed by strong collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, through a National Strategy for Adventure Tourism and a National Adventure Tourism Board.
“We are addressing region-specific issues from Darjeeling to Rajasthan, through this inter-ministerial board and working together to build a regulatory and safety framework that can support the industry’s growth,” he said.
He also announced that a comprehensive Adventure Tourism Safety Framework, is being finalised for rollout across states. “Every operator will be licensed by the state government, use certified equipment, employ trained guides and follow ATOAI’s standard safety protocols,” he said.
He also spoke of ongoing work to enable use of satellite phones, GPS systems and improved connectivity to remote areas to make adventure activities safer and more accessible.
Unveiling one of ATOAI’s most ambitious initiatives, Bajaj announced plans for two Himalayan Mega Trails, vast trans-regional trekking routes designed to redefine India’s adventure landscape.
“The Western Himalayan Mega Trail, about 2,800 km long, will start from Jammu, pass through Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh and end in Kumaon, Uttarakhand,” he said.
The second, an Eastern Himalayan Mega Trail, will connect Darjeeling, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Namdapha, with plans to coordinate with Nepal and Bhutan to make it one continuous cross-border Himalayan trail.
“These trails will mirror iconic global routes like the Appalachian Trail in the U.S. and create livelihoods for locals through tented camps, rest points and support services,” he said, adding that the project “will open a new chapter for adventure tourism in the Himalayas.”
Bajaj said the ATOAI and the entire adventure fraternity stand in full partnership with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, describing the event as the beginning of a deeper relationship.
“This is just the beginning of a great partnership with J&K,” Bajaj said. “We are committed 101 percent to supporting the government’s efforts to take tourism and adventure sports here to new heights.”
He added that empowering local operators through soft loans, training and safety certification will be critical for sustained growth. “Once operators are registered, the state must help them with financing and capacity building. That is how we create long-term impact,” he said.
Bajaj also urged Indian adventure operators to adopt international safety and training standards and ensure that guides are skilled not only in sport but also in first aid, CPR and emergency management.
“All of us must ensure that every adventure experience we provide is the experience of a lifetime,” he said. “We must work with global benchmarks, use certified equipment, conduct risk assessments and have response plans in place. That’s how we make India world-class.”
He stressed that safety and professionalism must be ingrained across the industry, noting that “responsible growth will bring international trust and with it, global tourists.”
Bajaj also presented a rock from the summit of Mount Everest to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on behalf of the adventure tourism fraternity of India. “This small rock, formed over 55 million years ago, symbolises endurance, resilience and the extraordinary heights achievable through collective effort and a never-give-up spirit,” Bajaj said while reading the citation.
“May this timeless fragment of the world’s highest peak inspire you as you guide Jammu and Kashmir towards new summits of progress and global recognition,” it added.
