Legendary Cricketer Sh. Kapil Dev inaugurated India’s first ever Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018 – the biggest adventure sports event in the country at the Four Points by Sheraton, New Delhi on January 27. This unique and first of its kind expo is expected to witness the participation from over 60+ brands and 15000+ visitors over the 3-day long adventure extravaganza.
The expo has received strong support by various Ministries & forums- Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Air India – the official Airline partner, ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association), UIAA (International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation), OTOAI (Outbound Tour Operators Association of India), IATO (The Indian Association of Tour Operators), ATOAI (Adventure Tour Operators of India), ADTOI (Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India), ESOI (Ecotourism Society of India), WAS (World Adventure Society).
Sh. Kapil Dev at Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018’s platform said: “I am in favor of encouraging all kinds of sports but adventure sports is particularly good because it gets you close to nature and into clean fresh places which calms the body and mind. It is heartening to see so many adventure sports enthusiasts assemble here in Delhi from all over India and the world at Adventure Sports Expo Asia and I am sure in years to come more people will discover the joys of participating in Adventure Sports. I wish the organizers and visitors all the best for the next three days.”
Various eminent dignitaries, like Mr. Suman Billa, IAS – Joint Secretary of (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Mr. Tejbir Singh Anand – Vice President – Adventure Tour Operators Association of India, Mr. Ajeet Bajaj – Padma Shree Awardee & MD – Snow Leopard Adventures Pvt. Ltd and Mr. Rishi Narain – Asian Games Gold Medalist, Founder & MD, RN Sports Marketing Pvt. Ltd. Ms. Aanchal Thakur-first Indian to win a medal at an international skiing event , Ms. Malvath Poorna- Youngest Woman to climb Mount Everest and Mr. Shekhar Babu-First Indian Mountaineer to climb Mount Everest as an individual of Adventure Sports industry will be gracing the occasion.
Mr. Ajeet Bajaj, Padma Shree Awardee & MD – Snow Leopard Adventures Pvt. Ltd, said: “I am thankful to Mr. Kapil Dev for giving us his time and sharing his views on Adventure Sports industry. We are elated to see such amazing beginning of the first edition of ASEA 2018 and we already planning for a bigger ASEA 2019 as well.”
He further added: “India already has huge potential as an Adventure Sports destination with so much diversity from mountains to rivers and desserts. ASEA 2018 will be marketing India as an iconic destination for Adventure Sports to the world with the support of ATOAI. Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018 would also be recognizing individual/groups and companies in the field of adventure on the opening night of the show.”
Mr. Shannon Stowell, CEO-Adventure Travel Trade Association, said: “ India has so much to offer the world when it comes to Adventure Sports and Adventure Tourism. This is my first trip to India which has been planned for past 14 years and I thank the Adventure Sports Expo Asia for making the visit happen. I certainly look forward to taking the message of what India has to offer back to America and my network of Tour Companies and we look forward to working with the Adventure community that has gathered here for this show and putting India on the world map of Adventure Tourism.”
The three-day expo will be presenting exhibition, speaker sessions, adventure activities, workshops and award night that will act as a one-stop destination for adventure sports fraternity. Adventure Sports Expo Asia is aimed to catalyze the growth of adventure sports & responsible tourism by bringing in world-class gear equipment makers, expert trainers, best practices, and technology advancement.
Capt Swadesh Kumar, President- Adventure Tour Operators Association of India, said: “ I have been working in Adventure Travel for over 20 years and this is the first time such a gathering is happening among all stakeholders in Adventure Sports. I encourage everyone to visit the show in the next three days whether you are connected to or aspiring to participate in Adventure Sports. I am sure the success of this show will create many opportunities for growth in this industry and I hope the show grows from strength to strength. We at ATOAI will continue to support such efforts.”
ASEA 2018 has also exhibited a vivid collage of Exhibitors and Buyers. While the Exhibitor profiles will deal with all adventure gear manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers along with adventure and eco-tourism tour operators all over Asia; the Buyer profiles will consist of government bodies such as Army, Navy Force, Para-Military Organizations, Travel enthusiast, potential investors from hospitality and also countries like US, UK, Australia, South America, Asia and Europe. The expo has exhibited the norms of what new trends are running the adventure sports and tourism industry.
The main focus of Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018 is to provide a unified global networking platform to facilitate the growth of adventure sports & responsible tourism vis-à-vis products and services. This will not only help them in exploring new business opportunities but also will act as a body where they can voice their opinions and grievances and find a solution through dialogue with the exhibitors.
