Chennai: Promoting adventure tourism has been region-specific rather than exploring various types and its potential is yet to be unlocked in the state.
Hot air ballooning, paragliding, water scooter, banana boating and water-skiing are some of the activities currently available in Tamil Nadu as adventure sports.
The Centre's announcement of establishing a National Task Force on Adventure Tourism for development and promotion of adventure tourism in India and to resolve the related issues including safety and security of adventure tourists, will go a long way in improving quality of sports and marketing of destinations.
"We are already involved in creating tourist infrastructural facilities with funds obtained form the State and Central governments. The tourism department is also encouraging tourism entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to play a mo-re proactive role," says a senior official of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation.
At present, adventure travel is facing numerous challenges including safety, accessibility, licensing and standards. Those involved in promoting adventure travel end up dealing with multiple ministries and offices to address these issues to promote a destination or sport. According to the Adventure Travel Operators Association of India (ATOAI) the formation of the National Task Force on Adventure Travel will address these challenges besides highlight the natural assets to the international markets.
Though the TTDC has been promoting adventure sports on its own and with the support of clubs or associations, it is difficult to promote adventure tourism in the state without the active participation of the forest department, say sources. Currently, the tourism department is involved in enhancing the service delivery by providing correct tourist information to the tourists.
