National Strategy for Adventure Tourism

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National Strategy for Adventure Tourism- Relevance for UPSC Exam

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National Strategy for Adventure Tourism in News

Recently, the Union Tourism Ministry has formulated National Strategy for Adventure Tourism to promote India as a preferred adventure tourism destination globally.

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National Strategy for Adventure Tourism

About: The Ministry of Tourism has drafted national strategy on Sustainable tourism which focuses promoting environmental sustainability, protecting biodiversity, promoting economic sustainability and promoting socio-cultural sustainability.
- Ministry of Tourism has recognised Adventure Tourism as a Niche Tourism Product, which inter alia includes Water Sports activities, to promote India as a 365 days destination and attract tourist with specific interest.
Mandate: The strategy aims to mainstream sustainability into tourism sector. Adventure tourism is one of the important segments to promote sustainable tourism.
Vision: To position India as a preferred destination for adventure tourism globally. 2.3.
Mission: To develop an enabling ecosystem for growth of Adventure Tourism in the Country and creating synergies amongst Central Government, State Governments, Private Sector and local communities, for development of Adventure Tourism.
Strategic Pillars under Strategy: Draft National Strategy for Adventure Tourism recognizes following as the strategic pillars of the strategy-
- State assessment, ranking and strategy
- Skills, capacity building and certification
- Marketing and promotion
- Strengthening adventure tourism safety management framework
- National and State-level rescue and communication grid
- Destination and Product Development
- Governance and Institutional Framework

Implementation of National Strategy for Adventure Tourism

National Board for Adventure Tourism (NBAT): It has been constituted under the Chairpersonship of Secretary (Tourism).
- NBAT comprises of representatives from identified Central Ministries/ organizations, State Governments/UT Administrations and Industry Stakeholders.
- Mandate: National Board for Adventure Tourism is entrusted with the objective of operationalization and implementation of the strategy to promote and develop adventure tourism in the Country.
Scope of National Board for Adventure Tourism (NBAT): Its’ scope of activities includes following-
- Detailed action plan and formulation of dedicated scheme
- Certification Scheme
- Safety guidelines
- Capacity building, replication of national and global best practices
- Assessment of state policies and ranking
- Marketing and promotion
- Destination and product development
- Private sector participation
- Specific strategies for adventure tourism
- Any other measures for growth of adventure tourism in the country.
National Institute for Water Sports (NIWS): Ministry of Tourism, through NIWS, Goa, provides training to water sports operators through various skill developing courses and certify the trainees.

Adventure Tourism in India

What is adventure tourism?
- Adventure tourism is a trip that includes at least two of the following three elements physical activity, natural environment and cultural immersion.
Types of Adventure Tourism:
- Hard Adventure Activities: Adventure tourism activities that involve a high level of risk and require a greater level of expertise, skills, training and experience.
  - High altitude mountaineering, river rafting, scuba diving, hang gliding, skydiving comes etc. are hard adventure activities.
- Soft Adventure Activities: Adventure tourism activities that involve moderate levels of risk and the tourists involved in these activities do not require particular skill or experience.
  - Most tourists take soft adventure activities for recreation and fun as it involves a lesser level of risk.
  - Hiking, camping, biking comes under soft adventure activities.
- Adventure Tourism – India’s Significant Geographical Advantage
  - 70 per cent of the Himalayas
  - 7,000 kms of coastline
  - Among the one of the three countries in the world with both hot and cold deserts
  - Ranks 10th in total area under forest cover
  - Ranks 6th in terms of number of recognized UNESCO Natural Heritage sites
- India’s potential for Adventure Tourism: Despite natural wealth and potential, India ranks quite low in global adventure tourism.
  - India holds great potential to become a global marketplace for adventure activities and sports.
  - India has tremendous potential to attract adventure tourists from different parts of the World.
  - From North to South and East to West, the geographical conditions of the country provide a competitive edge regarding the development of adventure tourism opportunities.