A seminar on adventure tourism was recently held in Coimbatore, India, with a focus on safety, sustainability, and regional collaboration. The event was organized by the Southern Regional Office of the Ministry of Tourism, in association with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), and was attended by over 120 delegates, including tour operators, industry experts, and government officials. The seminar was part of the National Strategy for Adventure Tourism (2022), a initiative aimed at promoting and developing adventure tourism in the country.
The keynote address was delivered by D. Venkatesan, Regional Director (South) of the Ministry of Tourism, who outlined several initiatives to promote adventure tourism, including the formation of the National Adventure Tourism Board (NBAT) and the strengthening of safety and training frameworks in partnership with ATOAI. He also encouraged tour operators to register on the Ministry’s Nidhi platform, which provides access to capacity-building opportunities and ensures adherence to national standards.
The seminar also highlighted the potential of Coimbatore as a gateway to adventure destinations such as the Nilgiris, Valparai, and Pollachi. Additional Collector (Development) Sanket Balwant Waghe noted that Coimbatore’s location makes it an ideal hub for developing integrated adventure circuits. Ronny Singh Gulati, Honorary Secretary of ATOAI, emphasized the need for greater coordination between the public and private sectors to strengthen the adventure tourism ecosystem.
A technical session on safety protocols and training was conducted by Nirat Bhatt, Honorary Treasurer of ATOAI, followed by a panel discussion on the importance of safety and team training. The seminar emphasized the need for safety, sustainability, and regional collaboration in adventure tourism, and provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss and address the challenges and opportunities in the sector. Overall, the seminar was a significant step towards promoting and developing adventure tourism in the region, and towards creating a safe and sustainable tourism ecosystem. The event was held on October 28, 2025, and was attended by a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, tour operators, and industry experts.