ATOAI plays a key role in promoting safety standards in India
How has adventure tourism in India evolved over the past decade and what key factors are driving growth?
Arshdeep Anand
Over the past decade, adventure tourism in India has undergone a decisive shift, from a fragmented, niche activity base to a structured, aspirational and fast-maturing industry. What was once limited to mountaineering and trekking has evolved into a diverse ecosystem spanning over more than 30 adventure verticals, from soft adventure and wilderness experiences to high-altitude expeditions and specialised pursuits. This growth is being fuelled by a fundamental shift in traveller mindset, from passive sightseeing to immersive, experience-led travel. Rising disposable incomes, digital influence, improved last-mile connectivity and a post-pandemic inclination towards nature and open spaces have further accelerated this momentum.
What is the market size of adventure tourism in India and how do you see these figures changing in the next five years?
Adventure tourism in India is currently valued in the range of INR 1.6–2 trillion, sustained by robust doubledigit growth. Over the next five years, the sector is poised to grow at a CAGR of 15–20 pc, potentially crossing the INR 3.5–4 trillion mark as it matures into a cornerstone of the travel economy.
This momentum is being fuelled by a fundamental shift in traveller demographics as Gen Z and Millennials now account for over 60 pc of bookings, demonstrating a clear preference for immersive, experience-led travel. This has accelerated the rise of soft adventure verticals, including glamping and guided trekking, while robust domestic demand and increasing private sector investment in curated infrastructure provide a strong foundation for this expanding ecosystem.
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Concurrently, a sharpened policy focus on mountain and coastal trails is improving last-mile connectivity, while the professionalisation of the industry remains a key priority. ATOAI has established standardised safety guidelines across 31 adventure verticals, which, alongside a broader push for risk mitigation and training, are building the ‘trust capital’ necessary to position India as a premier adventure hub within the Asia-Pacific region.
However, the real opportunity lies not just in the pace of growth, but in the direction and quality of that expansion. Unregulated growth risks environmental degradation and overcrowding in sensitive Himalayan zones, therefore, the path forward must prioritise responsible growth, balancing rapid scale with sustainability, safety frameworks, and the long-term credibility of the destination.
What is the current share of domestic versus international tourists in India’s adventure tourism sector?
In 2026, the adventure tourism sector in India is heavily dominated by domestic tourists, who currently account for roughly 90-95 pc of the total market volume, acting as the industry’s foundational pillar despite the international segment remaining the primary target for high-value growth. This disparity is driven by a massive surge in domestic participation, as a growing middle class and ‘weekend warriors’ embrace soft adventures like trekking, camping and river rafting. Domestic travellers provide the consistent volume necessary to keep infrastructure running year-round, while international tourists remain essential yet elusive for generating Foreign Exchange Earnings. While domestic demand has surged post-pandemic, inbound adventure tourism is seriously lacking and is in a phase of recovery and recalibration.
Are tour operators satisfied with the current number of foreign tourists visiting India for adventure experiences and how do these figures compare with 2019, before the pandemic?
The current sentiment among Indian adventure tour operators is one of cautious optimism. While international tourist arrivals are steadily recovering, they have not yet consistently translated into the high-yield volumes and margins seen in 2019 across all adventure segments.
There are pockets of strong revival, but the recovery remains uneven. Many established inbound operators feel that India is still underperforming relative to its immense potential.
A key concern continues to be administrative and structural bottlenecks, including visa processing delays in key source markets such as the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the need for more aggressive and sustained international marketing. There is a strong industry sentiment that India needs to be far more visible and aspirational in global travel conversations.
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This becomes even more critical when one considers India’s unparalleled natural assets. The country holds nearly 73 pc of the Himalayan range, over 11,000 km of coastline, more than 100 national parks and over 500 wildlife sanctuaries, vast forest cover, diverse ecosystems including hot and cold deserts, mangroves and an extensive network of rivers and biosphere reserves. Few destinations globally can match this diversity within a single geography.
Despite tourism contributing over 9 pc to India’s GDP, the sector has yet to receive the scale of focussed, strategic push it deserves, particularly in positioning India as a leading global destination for adventure and nature-based travel.
The opportunity is clear. With the right alignment of policy support, global marketing, ease of travel and continued strengthening of safety and infrastructure, India can not only match but significantly surpass its pre-pandemic inbound adventure tourism benchmarks.
What measures do you think are needed to boost foreign arrivals for adventure tourism in India?
To significantly enhance foreign arrivals, India must adopt a focussed and globally competitive strategy that positions the country not just as a cultural destination, but as a premier hub for adventure and active travel.
A key priority is strong, targetted international marketing campaigns that showcase India’s diverse natural assets, from the Himalayas and deserts to coastlines, forests and river systems. This storytelling must move beyond traditional formats and leverage digital-first platforms, including collaborations with global influencers and creators.
High-quality, immersive content, particularly short-form videos and reels, can play a powerful role in bringing India’s adventure experiences to life for international audiences.
Equally critical is the perception of safety. India must proactively communicate that robust safety frameworks are in place. Wider visibility of ATOAI’s safety guidelines across 31 adventure verticals, along with trained operators and certified guides, will go a long way in building trust among international travellers. Positioning India as a safe and professionally managed adventure destination is essential.
From a policy perspective, streamlined visa processes and greater ease of travel remain key enablers. Simplified and faster visa systems, especially for key source markets, can significantly improve conversion.
In parallel, improving regional connectivity, particularly seamless air and last-mile access to adventure hubs, will make destinations more accessible and itinerary-friendly for international visitors.
Finally, there is a need to curate and promote well-defined, globally benchmarked adventure circuits and experiences, supported by reliable information and booking ecosystems.
India has all the raw ingredients to lead globally in adventure tourism. The next step is to position and present it cohesively, credibly and compellingly to the world.
Safety standards are often cited as a challenge in adventure tourism. How is ATOAI and the government addressing these issues?
India’s adventure tourism sector stands at a defining inflection point, where rapid, double-digit growth has outpaced the existing pool of trained human capital. ATOAI suggests that addressing this critical deficit of skilled guides and technical experts is fundamental to transitioning from mere scale toward a model of responsible growth. A cornerstone of this transformation is the professionalisation of the ecosystem through the Adventure Safety Guidelines, developed by ATOAI. These protocols establish a uniform, nationwide framework to ensure a consistent, world-class experience regardless of the geography.
To operationalise these benchmarks, ATOAI emphasises intensive capacity building through the Responsible Adventure Tourism Guide (RATG) course and recent specialised workshops in Bhopal, equipping professionals with vital expertise in wilderness medical response, CPR and advanced risk assessment.
Also Read: ATOAI conducts skill development training in Madhya Pradesh
Concurrently, the government is introducing more stringent licensing norms, requiring operators to demonstrate adherence to established Standard Operating Procedures to maintain credibility. The industry is also prioritising the dispersal of tourism into emerging hubs and lesser-known trails to alleviate the pressure on over-saturated Himalayan circuits, while hard-coding sustainability into its DNA through net-zero conventions and inclusive leadership via the ATOAI Women’s Collective (AWC). By aligning with global benchmarks and embedding eco-sensitive infrastructure into its operations, India is consciously building a safe, skilled and sustainable model designed to position the country among the top 10 global adventure destinations by 2034.
What are the major skill gaps in India’s adventure tourism sector and how is ATOAI addressing training and certification for guides and operators?
Despite India’s rise as a global adventure hub, the sector faces a significant human capital challenge, with an estimated shortage of trained professionals and critical skill gaps in specialised areas. ATOAI suggests that the most pressing deficiencies lie in wilderness medical response, advanced risk assessment and technical rescue skills, particularly in remote regions where terrain-specific expertise is vital but scarce.
Furthermore, there is a notable ‘soft skill’ deficit in foreign language proficiency and digital literacy, which hinders the ability of local guides to meet the expectations of high-value international travellers. To bridge these gaps, ATOAI is leading a comprehensive professionalisation drive centered on the RATG Course, which has already certified over 400 guides in safety and sustainability protocols.
Additionally, ATOAI works closely with Bureau of Indian Standards to adopt and further promote the same, industrywide, through webinars and seminars. By institutionalising the Adventure Safety Guidelines and advocating for mandatory state-level licensing, ATOAI is working to ensure that every guide and operator transitions from informal experience to a globally recognised standard of technical capability and professional responsibility.
