NAGPUR: The biggest high for tourism sector in 2014 was a government GR, which made mandatory for all operators of adventure tourism to register themselves. Adventure tourism is a sunshine segment and the region has big potential for it.

As a promoter, I have noticed that tourists get attracted to these activities as much as wildlife safaris and visits to places of tourist attraction. Since adventure tourism is governed by safety norms and needs safety gears, this government initiative now ensures that only qualified persons who have standard equipment get to operate.

Otherwise too, this was a very positive year for promotion and development of tourism. The region saw a rise in number of tourists who visited various places this year. Even the local population was keen to discover various spots of tourist interest in and around Nagpur. MTDC has played a very fruitful role in this respect. They organized a number of tourism festivals which combined tourism with adventure sports. The Chikhaldara festival and the one held at Kuwara Bhimsen were an effort in this direction.

The public private partnership initiatives taken by MTDC also saw some high-end operators getting involved in this effort. The rest house in Sakoli, which will be maintained by a city hotel group, will promote tourism at Navegaon. Similarly, the MTDC tourism office in the city too has become a hub thanks to setting up of a restaurant there. Many other vendors related to tourism have also set office there. The tourism corporation has roped in some good event managers now who are ensuring that tourism related activities are consistently promoted in the city and region.

What MTDC now also needs to do is to promote Lonar crater and Mansar excavation sites on international level. The Lonar, Shegaon, Buldhana, Ajanta sector has huge potential. But Lonar is not getting the kind of attention that it deserves because though it falls in Vidarbha yet it is closer to Aurangabad. The civic body there has no resources to develop it. And autonomous body for that site can give it the required push.

Similarly, there are so many sites of archaeological interest in the region which are not getting the required attention. MTDC does not promote them as there are no facilities available there. But caravan camping is an option which is available and working well in Madhya Pradesh. Places like Gavilghad , Nagardhan and Narnala are of interest to those looking for places of historic importance.

There is a need to combine adventure sports, wildlife and archaeological spots as tourist attraction as now tourists look for multiple activities. The region has the potential to offer it all. It has good rail, air and road connectivity.

With chief minister Devendra Fadnavis retaining the tourism portfolio with himself, things might happen at a faster pace. Tourism is poised to take off in the years to come as the biggest attraction for this region. All that is needed is consistent efforts in the right direction and the necessary push.

(The author, Amol Khante, runs a adventure sports outfit in the region)

