Srinagar Hosts 17th ATOAI Convention to Revitalize Kashmir's Adventure Tourism Industry

Srinagar:

Adventure enthusiasts from across India have gathered in Srinagar for a significant three-day convention despite the valley's chilly weather. The 17th Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) convention aims to reinvigorate Kashmir's tourism sector ahead of anticipated snowfall in the coming days.

This marks the first major gathering of tour operators from various regions of India to discuss a tourism strategy for Kashmir following the devastating Pahalgam terrorist attack in April, which severely impacted the region's tourism industry.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is inaugurating the event at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre, has expressed gratitude to ATOAI for selecting Srinagar as the venue for their 17th annual convention.

During the recent curtain-raiser event at Gulmarg, Abdullah emphasized that adventure tourism in India is incomplete without Jammu and Kashmir. He stated, "When discussing adventure tourism in India, Jammu and Kashmir is essential. People were skiing in Gulmarg when the rest of India had no concept of the sport. Now we feel the rest of the country has progressed, while the situation in Kashmir has pushed us backward."

Following the Pahalgam attack, all trekking routes in Kashmir were closed as part of security precautions, along with several tourist destinations. While restrictions have been eased in many areas, tourist confidence has been shaken, resulting in a significant decline in visitor numbers over the past eight months.

As tour operators from across the country convene to discuss Kashmir's tourism future, the three-day event will also facilitate a partial resumption of adventure tourism activities. Officials report that delegates will participate in trekking expeditions in Pahalgam and other routes that were previously closed after the terrorist attack.

"Adventure tourism suffered significantly as all our trekking routes were closed - activities like paragliding, rafting, and ziplining came to a complete halt. We're now optimistic about the upcoming season, as numerous tourism professionals from across India are meeting here and conveying the message that Kashmir is indeed safe," said Rouf Tramboo, co-chairman of ATOAI's Kashmir chapter.

The Kashmir stag, locally known as Hangul, serves as the official mascot for the 17th ATOAI convention. Organizers explain that the Hangul symbolizes courage and resilience, reflecting the convention's goal of overcoming challenges.