The event, hosted in association with US based Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and ATOAI (Adventure Tour Operators Association of India), was a first of its kind for India and Asia. The international event with a specific focus on Adventure travel was hosted at the new International Convention Centre (Minto Hall in Bhopal) and focused on adventure tourism by combining marketplace (chowk Bazar), meetings, networking opportunities, inspirational speakers and educational sessions together for national and international delegates.
Principal Secretary Tourism and Managing director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board
AdventureNext India 2018 was attended by over 200 delegates, including global buyers, international and national media representatives, sellers and office bearers of the Adventure Tour Operators Association and hotels and hospitality and tour operators, among others. Suman Billa, Joint Secretary, MoT; Swadesh Kumar, President of ATOAI and Akshay Kumar, Chairman of Adventure NEXT committee were also in attendance.
Commenting on the undertaking, Hari Ranjan Rao, Principal Secretary Tourism and Managing Director, MPTB said that the state was “truly honoured” for being the ever first host of AdventureNext in Asia. “We thank ATTA and all the respected international buyers, felicitators, media and national delegates who came together to make this event a grand success. The AdventureNext not only brought together the networking sessions but it also gave a unique definition to the hidden treasures of adventure tourism in India,” he said. “With this we focus to promote the adventure travel aspect with full pace in Madhya Pradesh as well,” he further added.
Speaking on the same, Shannon Stowell, CEO, AdventureNext, Adventure Travel Trade Association said that “the extraordinary variety of adventure travel” Madhya Pradesh preserved was worth experiencing. “Adventure NEXT captured India’s religious heritage, mythological, historical, wildlife, and beautiful architectural spots clubbed with physical activities and journals for the attendees. This is just the beginning, ATTA also plans to introduce more tours which are adventure driven, panning across the unexplored exploratory destinations of India,” she said.
The two-day event encapsulated the theme “Pulse of Tomorrow” where delegates explored future-driven business opportunities in Madhya Pradesh. The indulgent agenda featured trending topics such as economics of wildlife tourism and immersive technology while the educational workshops like traditional Gond Art show kept attendees engaged.
The state is also conducting pre and post familiarization trips to various destinations, aimed at driving destination awareness.
