India’s first ever Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018 concluded its maiden edition in Delhi

2024-04-18 11:24:32 Sports

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New Delhi, 30th January 2018: Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018, the biggest adventure sports event in the country was concluded on 29th January at Hotel Four Points by Sheraton, New Delhi on a positive note. This unique and first of its kind expo witnessed the participation from over 60+ brands and 5000+ visitors with the adventure sports enthusiasts over the 3-day long adventure extravaganza. Many eminent dignitaries including Mr. Amitabh Kant (NITI Ayog), Mr. Kapil Dev, Mr. Madan Lal, Mr. Murali Kartik (Renown Cricketers), Mr. Rajiv Pratap Rudy- Member of Parliament, Ms. Malvath Poorna- Youngest Woman to climb Mount Everest and Mr. Shekhar Babu-First Indian Mountaineer to climb Mount Everest didn?t only attend this first of its kind Expo but also spoke highly about it.

The expo received strong support by various Ministries & forums- Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Incredible 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. Amitabh Kant, CEO- Niti Aayog at Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018?s platform said, ?I would like to congratulate all the associations who joined together to start this wonderful Adventure Sports Expo. As so much is happening in private sector, we need to spread this word around the world that India is a goldmine of adventure tourism. Ministry of tourism should collaborate with ASEA to make it 100x bigger & better in the heart of Delhi. It?s a great opportunity & initiative because what India has in terms of adventure, I don?t think any country in the world has that.?

The expo has received strong support from various Ministries & forums- Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Incredible 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).

Mr. Rishi Narain? Asian Games Gold Medalist, Founder & MD, RN Sports Marketing Pvt. Ltd. said, ?We are elated to see such amazing response for the first edition of ASEA 2018 and our already planning for a bigger ASEA 2019 as well.\"

He further adds, \"India already has huge potential as an Adventure Sports destination with so much diversity from mountains to rivers and desserts. ASEA 2018 has marketed India as an iconic destination for Adventure Sports to the world with the support of ATOAI. Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018 has also been recognizing individual/groups and companies in the field of adventure on the opening night of the show.?

The three-day expo presented exhibition, speaker sessions, adventure activities, workshops and award night that acted as a one-stop destination for adventure sports fraternity. Adventure Sports Expo Asia 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.

The expo was concentrated on building relationships amongst stakeholders of the Adventure and Ecotourism Industry on a single platform. The forum has also aimed to address various challenges faced by exhibitors through various sessions, hosted and chaired by luminaries such as Shannon Stowell- CEO of Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), Archana Sardana- India?s first and only woman BASE (Building, Antenna, Span and Earth) jumper, Jake Norton- is a world-renowned climber, photographer, filmmaker, philanthropist, and inspirational speaker, Suzanne Al Houby- first Arab woman to climb Mount Everest, Wade Campbell- an experienced trainer for delivering outdoor adventure, Mohit Midha- a certified advanced diver among others.

Adventure Sports Expo Asia had also curated a special speaker session in association with Sheroes for women in adventure sports. The main motto of the panel discussion was to create awareness & motivate women towards adventure sports along with creating more opportunities in India. This women-led session will witness presence of luminaries such as Archana Sardana- India?s first and only woman BASE (Building, Antenna, Span, and Earth) jumper, Dr. Neharika Yadav- she is a Superbike Racer and a Dental Surgeon, Suzanne Al Houby- first Arab woman to climb Mount Everest, Malavath Purna- she scaled the highest peak of Mount Everest and, aged 13 years and 11 months, became the youngest girl in the world to have reached the summit of Everest. This power pact panel was moderated by Ms. Avani Parekh-Director of Empathy, Sheroes

Mr. Ajeet Bajaj - Padma Shree Awardee & MD - Snow Leopard Adventures Pvt. Ltd states, ?The timing was just right for Adventure Sports Expo in India to bring the fraternity together but what?s more, to educate and sensitize potential partners on the benefits of this wonderful industry. Our primary motive was to unified global networking platform to facilitate the growth of adventure sports & responsible tourism?.

ASEA 2018 also exhibited a vivid collage of Exhibitors and Buyers. While the Exhibitor profile dealt with all adventure gear manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers along with adventure and eco-tourism tour operators all over Asia; the Buyer profile consisted 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 was to provide a unified global networking platform to facilitate the growth of adventure sports & responsible tourism biz-a-biz products and services. This not only helped them in exploring new business opportunities but also acts as a body where they can voice their opinions and grievances and find a solution through dialogue with the exhibitors.