India’s love for adventure tourism is on the rise — be it for a dose of instant adrenaline or real, untamed adventure, finds out Amit Sengupta
Gone are the days when our parents took us to the nearby hill station or beach during school break for the ritual annual holiday. Or it would be a trip to the grandparents’ house where we happily spent two months. Not anymore!
Today’s youth and working professionals are more daring than previous generations and are willing to hit the road on bikes to drive down to the foothills of Himalayas or even to ladakh. They are plunging deep into the waters of Andamans and Puducherry, going for mountain trekking, camping in Uttarakhand or snow-boarding or skiing in Gulmarg. India’s love for adventure tourism has been at an all time high and is pegged to rise in the time to come.
Neha Dixit, a TV show host and travel journalist, says: “India is a great destination for adventure tourism. It has some of the most amazing scuba diving sites in Andamans and lakshadweep. The diving sites in Andamans are one of the best in the world with incredible infrastructure and facilities. Surfing is really picking up in India. We are witnessing a surge of professional celebrity surfers who have been coming to some of the best surfing sites in Goa, Puducherry, Chennai and Andamans.”
This is indeed true. Adventure tourism in India is pegged at Rs500-600 crore, which is booming than ever before. Vaibhav Kala, MD, Aquaterra Adventures, one of India’s reputed adventure company, says: “More people are travelling and the Indian travel industry has grown hugely as well. More Indians are attempting to scale the Everest; the awareness and inclination and most importantly the aptitude of domestic travellers is changing rapidly. The sector is getting more organised, albeit slowly.”
Asked about which adventure tourism sports are seeing a spike, Kala says, “Currently sports like rafting, trekking, luxury camping, climbing expeditions are very popular. We will see a big growth in mountain biking, adventure races, self-drive holidays and 4x4 trips in the next few years. There is also a lot of growth in the adventure parks area with permanent locations springing up close to the metros.”
India has an enviable benefit of a booming young generation and a perfectly beautiful landscape flanked by the mighty Himalayas from the north till the eastern fringes of the country. Vishal Sinha, COO, TUI India, says: “With increasing disposable income and more risk taking travellers, we see adventure travel growing at an exponential rate. India, with its remarkably diverse topography and climate, promises every adventure lover an active and healthy holiday while learning new skills. Vast open spaces, wilderness areas, towering mountains, colossal coastal and desert regions make it an ideal destination for enjoying a variety of adventure sports and activities. Vast Himalayan ramps in India have been playing a major role in adventure tourism; they are a major attraction for adventure lovers from India and abroad.”
Alka Kaushik, a senior travel journalist who has explored Mount Kailash, has an interesting perspective. “Today’s youth thrives on credit card economy. They get instant thrill with a dose of weekend getaway. These groups of travellers want to explore a lot and for them budget is not an issue. They want to experience the nature, high altitude trekking, river rafting — all in one package. Instant adrenaline is their call for action,” she says.
College-going youths or even the working executives are rushing for the much-needed getaways and weekend trips. Rohit Khattar, Founder, Himalayan Explorer’s Club, has been to many such adventures and is also the organiser for his club for the past seven years. He says: “Youths get attracted to things that can set them apart from their peers. This industry requires a lot of patience and the younger lot is impatient, so it is difficult to see them in the field for long. It is only the love or passion that drives this industry. Working professionals on the other side are frustrated or bored at work. I know a few but because they were not good at the operational end, they have also started selling the adventure products instead of doing it on their own.”
Each of these adventure trips could cost ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs25,000 for a trek within India. The trekking gears (boots, jackets, backpacks) are an additional cost. This could set you back by another Rs10,000. “While our previous generations did just one or two big trips in their entire lifetime, the current generation has gone way ahead. They thrive on adventure spirit and for them every weekend is a getaway from the city life. They can drive up to the Himalayas or go for water rafting in the Ganges. They are the real travellers and backpackers. They want to achieve a sense of fulfillment with these trips. On the other hand, we have groups that want to ride their own bikes or rent them and drive up till ladakh and spend the night under the sky. A romantic trip, sleeping under the starry sky, with the combination of bikes is what makes it alluring to the youth,” says Kaushik.
But with the spike in adventure tourism comes the risks around infrastructure issues. Industry body Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) is working with the industry and authorities for standardisation and quality control of adventure tourism in India. ATOAI President Akshay Kumar says, “We have come out with a white paper on minimum standards in the adventure travel industry. Through this paper we have attempted to address the minimum safety guidelines for all adventure activities in India, and have also included activities that do not exist in India at the moment but will be introduced in the near future. This paper has been accepted by the Ministry of Tourism and has been circulated to all State Governments for implementation at the ground level. The idea is to keep the standards at an achievable level to begin with and then upgrade slowly. ATOAI also organises regular workshops focusing on wilderness first aid and rescue.”
Kala of Aquaterra says: “More and more players have changed the game; safety and eco-sensitivity may have taken a back seat. It must be brought back to the forefront. Issues like mass trekking, low entry barriers, little regulation still mar the space. Globally, over 60 per cent of travel is turning towards active travel, and women are leading the charge.”
Certainly women travellers have plunged onto the thrill by travelling solo or in groups. Akansha Dureja, a travel blogger based in Delhi who also works full time in a software company, had an interesting perspective to share. “Most of our temples or places of religious importance are built in places that require a lot of effort to reach, such as Amarnath and Hemkund. One has to be physically fit to reach these places. Age is just a number, it’s the physical fitness and willingness that matters,” she says.
Gaurav Dublish, co-founder of Wildcraft, says: “Our team came together when adventure tourism was at a nascent stage and enthusiasts had limited options for gear. The gap between the demand and supply was evident, and we wanted to bridge it by providing outdoor gear that was functionally rich, accessible, reliable and affordable.”
The gear matters a lot during the treks in harsh terrains. Khattar of Himalayan Explorers Club has some practical advice: “Keep the group size small to give proper attention, especially to those who just come because a website suggested they add it to their bucket list without knowing the dangers involved. Proper instructions need to be given on the first day. Basic briefing is required about the usage of different medicines in case of an emergency. Also, it is important to teach them about the foremost policy of ‘leaving no trace’ as that is the only way you can keep the trail clean.
“Quality control has to be maintained otherwise you are dead under water that very day. The camping gear can’t be used after a certain period of time and because there is no regulatory body looking at the equipment regularly, there are players in the market who are encouraged to bring in a price war.” That’s indeed true and the wearing gear during an adventure trip is vital. “You should have three separate layers of apparel — a base thermal layer to be worn next to the skin, a middle layer to keep the body warm, and an outer shell to keep the wind and rain out. Keeping extremities like head, toes, hands covered is as important,” advises Kala.
Internationally known travel blogger of legal Nomads, Jodi Ettenberg, says: “It depends on the climate, the budget, and the kind of activities you will do. On my resources page at my blog, I have a list of different packing lists and gear for people looking to travel, to help them choose.” Here’s her advice for trekkers and travellers: “Bring a good first aid kit, and open mind, and a willingness to learn from everyone you meet.”
Accessories are equally important. “Water, packed lunch, camera, energy bars, rain parka, a warm layer in case it gets cold, besides regular clothing, tent, food etc,” suggests Kala, and adds, “Prepare, prepare, prepare. And get fit. Ask the right questions. Speak to your operator or guide. Sign up with recognised companies and guides.”
Tourism boards are fast catching up on this craze to give something new to travellers. On being asked about how tourism boards are tapping into this craze, Dixit says: “Gujarat Tourism’s campaign with celebrity ambassador Amitabh Bachchan has really worked for them. With their limited media marketing budget, States such as Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are promoting themselves really well. Nagaland has also been doing well. Our’s was the first TV crew to shoot a tourism show in Nagaland way back in 2009-10. We never had any problem. Of course, you need to know which areas you need to avoid.”
“J&K is promoting itself really well with its snow adventures in Gulmarg. Uttarakhand is gaining popularity with its skiing and snow-boarding spots. As far as I know, some really good international adventure companies are setting up shop in these States,” she adds.
In fact, as much as Indians love to travel within its boundaries, a section of them are crossing over to other countries as well. The thrill for adventure is taking them to foreign shores with limitless and enticing options. “New places seem to dominate. Nowadays, more and more people wish to climb 6,000-metre peaks or undertake challenging expeditions. Peru, Chile, Bhutan, Africa, New Zealand are in demand,” says Kala.
Nishant Kashikar, country manager, India and Gulf, Tourism Australia, says: “Australia’s open spaces, rugged terrain, expansive coastlines and mountain ranges provide an exhilarating and ready-made adventure for adrenaline junkies. Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and areas around the Great Barrier Reef are well known for high octane activities. Harley Davidson rides in Melbourne and on the Great Ocean Road are a big hit with Indians.”
Dubai also has a host of adventure options to keep your daredevil fire aflame. “Take in the landscape from a seaplane, hot-air balloon or, for the truly adventurous, a skydive experience. Once you’re safely back on ground, enjoy afternoons of desert dune-bashing, golf, swimming with dolphins and sharks, kite surfing and more,” said an official spokesperson of Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Government of Dubai, based in Mumbai.
Ettenberg says: “I think any place can be the best and the most challenging. It doesn’t matter where you go, it matters what kinds of connections you make with the people you meet and the things you do. I love to learn through food, so for me places with a deep food history are compelling. All places are suitable for backpackers!”
