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HomeNewsATOAI’s next Convention heads to Madhya Pradesh

ATOAI’s next Convention heads to Madhya Pradesh

– The announcement was made by the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav, through a special video message during the closing ceremony of this year’s convention in Tawang.

-“The state’s geographical diversity and its understanding of the economic benefits adventure tourism brings to remote regions make it an ideal choice. Madhya Pradesh has always been a welcoming state for us. From hosting our conventions in Bhopal in 2009 and 2016, the state has consistently showcased its commitment to tourism, particularly adventure tourism,” Tejbir Singh Anand, Past President of ATOAI told T3.

Next year, the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) Convention will take place in Madhya Pradesh. The announcement was made by the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav, who welcomed ATOAI to the heart of India through a special video message during the closing ceremony of this year’s convention in Tawang.

In his message, Dr. Yadav highlighted Madhya Pradesh’s growing appeal as a destination for adventure tourism, citing activities such as skydiving, trekking, river rafting, and paragliding. He noted that initiatives like the skydiving festival in Ujjain have significantly boosted tourism while creating employment opportunities in the state.

The announcement comes on the heels of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board being honoured with the ‘Best Adventure Tourism State’ Award at the 16th ATOAI Convention in Tawang on December 4.

Giving more insights into the convention, Tejbir Singh Anand, Past President of ATOAI, shared why Madhya Pradesh was chosen as the next venue. Speaking about the state’s evolution in tourism, he emphasised its transformation from being primarily recognised as a “tiger country” to a destination with vast and untapped adventure tourism potential.

“MP today, is a front-runner in tourism in our country. The state’s geographical diversity and its understanding of the economic benefits adventure tourism brings to remote regions make it an ideal choice. Madhya Pradesh has always been a welcoming state for us. From hosting our conventions in Bhopal in 2009 and 2016, the state has consistently showcased its commitment to tourism, particularly adventure tourism,” Anand told T3.

Anand also highlighted the longstanding partnership between ATOAI and the Madhya Pradesh government saying that over the years, the collaboration has focused on building capacities, promoting sustainable adventure tourism, and ensuring economic benefits reach far-flung areas.

“Adventure tourism is more than extreme activities—it’s about active, experiential travel. Madhya Pradesh understands this and has been proactive in embracing and scaling this segment responsibly,” Anand explained.

When asked about the key priorities for the 2025 Convention, he shared a few critical issues that will be addressed. Risk Management and Safety for establishing and implementing robust standard operating procedures, Licensing and the skill development which focuses on building capacities and skilling local communities to participate in adventure tourism, he shared.

“Our goal is to ensure tourism is not just about doing business but doing it the right way. The collaboration between ATOAI and state governments like Madhya Pradesh has been instrumental in setting benchmarks for the industry,” said Anand.

While Madhya Pradesh clinched the 2025 convention, several other states were also under consideration, including Rajasthan, he said. “Chhattisgarh and Punjab had also shown strong interest. Uttarakhand, which is synonymous with adventure tourism and a pioneer for trekking and river rafting, is another strong contender for future conventions. It has been a while since we last held a convention there,” added Anand.

“Thirty years ago, we struggled to convince states about the potential of adventure tourism. Today, states are approaching us to host conventions, recognising the immense value adventure tourism adds to their economies,” he shared.

Looking ahead, ATOAI is thrilled about next year’s convention, which is likely to be held in Ujjain or Bhopal. “Ujjain, often associated with pilgrimage, has much more to offer, and the convention aims to showcase these lesser-known facets. It’s heartening to see the Chief Minister himself extend a warm welcome through a personal message, further strengthening our collaboration,” he said.

Reflecting on his role in bringing Madhya Pradesh on board, Anand highlighted his long-standing association with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), which he joined in 1998, just four years after its inception in 1994. “Over the years, I have fostered strong partnerships with state governments, including Madhya Pradesh, built on mutual trust and a shared vision for tourism. This enduring relationship has been instrumental in driving Madhya Pradesh’s growth and prominence in adventure tourism,” he shared.

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