The Directorate of Tourism (DoT) has organised a month-long webinar on adventure tourism and its potential in the State. These are a series of eight sessions on eight different topics that have commenced on October 11, 2021 and the last session will be held on October 29, 2021. Experts from respective fields have been conducting these webinars and sharing insights related to adventure tourism. The timing of these sessions is from 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm.
Maharashtra government has recently launched Adventure tourism policy keeping in mind the huge potential for development of adventure tourism in the state. The policy focuses on regulating adventure activities conducted on air, land and water, promoting adventure tourism in the state, encouraging tourists/stakeholders to opt for adventure tourism etc. As the policy is new, this is the perfect time to conduct a webinar and clear all the doubts and queries of the stakeholders, further encouraging them to register under the policy.
Experienced practitioners and experts Joint Director of Directorate of Tourism Dr. Dhananjay Sawalkar and Founder of High Places Management Vasant Limaye conducted the first session that focused on the Adventure tourism policy of Maharashtra. An introduction of the policy was given along with a presentational explanation. During the webinar, Sawalkar said, “This policy is dynamic and flexible. It wasn’t made in one day; hence, a lot of research has gone into creating it and we are still open for suggestions from our stakeholders.” Around 100 participants attended and had a good discussion during the webinar.
Mountaineer and Shiv Chhatrapati Adventure Sport Award recipient Umesh Zirpe (GGIM, MMRCC), Dr. Sumit Mehandale and Rajesh Gadgil from Maha Aventure Council (MAC) conducted the second session on Trekking and camping.
The upcoming sessions will be throwing light on topics like All types of climbing, Rope Course & Rope Adventures, Adventure Sports (Cycling, Nature Trails, etc.), Scuba diving and Water Sports (Rafting, Boating, Kayaking, etc.), Paragliding and Air Adventure Activities and, Adventure and Safety to be conducted by various experts like Sky Diver and Padmashree Award recipient Sheetal Mahajan, Scuba diving Expert Sarang Kulkarni, Everest climber Surendra Chavan and other dignitaries.
Tourism Trainer from the DoT Manoj Hadwale and the founder of Team Outdoor Jitendra Deshmukh are the co-ordinators of the webinars.
This initiative is the first step towards creating awareness about adventure tourism in the state and the adventure tourism policy. The stakeholders are requested to attend, participate and gain maximum benefit out of them.
