The scenic city of Dehradun played host to the Adventure Tourism Meet (ATM) 2025 on June 27, 2025, bringing together policymakers, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators in the adventure travel space. Organised by Indian Express Online Media, the conclave served as a platform to deliberate on the transformative potential of community-led tourism, new innovations, and sustainability in the Himalayas and beyond. The evening before the event was devoted to an Adventure Roundtable, where key adventure tourism stakeholders shared their learnings and best practices with each other and with local adventure tour operators.
ATM 2025, which was the second edition of the event, was held in partnership with Uttarakhand Tourism (Presenting Partner) and powered by Government of Uttarakhand and Meghalaya Tourism. The event was inaugurated with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony by Shri Satpal Maharaj, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Uttarakhand, along with the other diginitaries present, followed by a welcome note from Mr. Roshun Povaiah, Editor, FinancialExpress.com.
Delivering the keynote address, Shri Satpal Maharaj, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Uttarakhand, emphasized the need for balanced tourism that preserves ecological integrity while boosting the local economy. He highlighted the initiatives taken by the Government to promote adventure tourism in the state as well as the focus on the skilling of youth in adventure activities like rafting and paragliding. “Uttarakhand is committed to becoming a leader in sustainable and responsible adventure tourism,” he said.
Mr. Abhishek Ruhela IAS, Additional CEO, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB), addressed the gathering with compelling insights on Uttarakhand’s vision for adventure tourism and its role in empowering local communities.
Mr. Banshidhar Tiwari IAS, DG, DIPR, Government of Uttarakhand, also shared his thoughts on the adventure tourism potential of Uttarakhand.
Mr. Philip F. Tariang, Assistant Director – Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, shared all the amazing adventure tourism activities available in Meghalaya, including unique experiences like caving and scuba diving.
The day featured a variety of engaging presentations. Mr. Tsewang Namgial, Founder, Snow Leopard Conservancy, spoke about Ladakh and the unique challenges of conducting adventure tourism in a fragile geography.
In her inspiring talk, travel influencer and Director – Marketing, Onlyone Travel, Ms. Archana Singh spoke about giving up the corporate life and travelling to 107 countries – from the Arctic to Antarctica.
Mr. Rakesh Pant, Co-Founder, Trek the Himalayas, who is based in Dehradun and has been operating in the adventure tourism space for several decades, discussed the road ahead for adventure tourism in Uttarakhand.
Two thought-provoking panel discussions added depth to the discourse. The first, titled “Voices of the Hills: Community-Led Adventure Tourism Models,” focused on how local communities in the Indian Himalayas are not only participating in but leading the way in redefining adventure tourism. It explored real-world case studies and policy interventions as well as highlightd responsible travel practices that go beyond conventional models. Panellists included Ms. Manisha Pande, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Village Ways, who has been at the forefront of creating sustainable, community-owned tourism experiences in Uttarakhand and other hill states. Joining her was Mr. Lokesh Ohri, Founder of Been There Doon That and Humanities Himalaya, whose work in heritage preservation and cultural storytelling has made a lasting impact on responsible travel narratives in the region. Also on the panel was Mr. Mani Mahesh Aurora, CEO and Co-Founder of Impact Investors and Co-Founder of The Goat Villages, known for his work in regenerative tourism, rural livelihoods, and promoting tourism as a tool to counter urban migration. The discussion showed the long-term potential of tourism models that are owned, operated, and nurtured by local communities themselves.
The second panel, “New Directions and Innovations in Adventure Tourism,” spotlighted how technology, luxury, and design were coming together to transform the future of adventure tourism in India. From glamping to astro-tourism, and from drone-assisted mapping to accreditation tools, the conversation covered the cutting edge of experiential and sustainable travel. Among the speakers were Mr. Sanjay Sharma, CEO and Co-Founder of Organic Hideaways Pvt. Ltd. and Founder of All Key Solutions & Services, who brought his expertise in building high-end, environmentally conscious glamping retreats in natural landscapes. He was joined by Mr. Prabhat Verma, Executive Director at Le Passage to India Journeys, who offered insights into evolving customer expectations and the role of global best practices in enhancing adventure experiences. Adding a cosmic dimension to the discussion was Mr. Ramashish Ray, Founder of Starscapes Experiences, who spoke about the growing niche of astro-tourism and how stargazing, storytelling, and science can come together to create immersive travel in remote and pristine locations. The session revealed how innovation was not just enhancing safety and comfort but also opening new frontiers in the way we engage with the outdoors. Both panels were moderated by Mr. Povaiah.
Mr. Ramashish Ray, also gave a special presentation on Uttarakhand’s Nakshatra Sabha initiative, which was launched to promote astro-tourism in the state. Mr. Ray also highlighted the crying need for a Dark Skies policy in India, work on which is going on. The cultural richness of Uttarakhand was also on full display with a vibrant folk performance, adding a unique regional flavour to the proceedings.
The day’s proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Mukesh Singh, Senior Vice President & Revenue Head, Indian Express Online Media, who highlighted the media group’s commitment to spotlighting India’s tourism potential through meaningful dialogues and collaborations. He reiterated the importance of building bridges between local operators and national players to foster a more resilient adventure tourism ecosystem.
The Adventure Tourism Meet 2025 reaffirmed Uttarakhand’s status as a premier destination for adventure, while also laying the groundwork for inclusive and forward-thinking tourism models that can inspire the rest of India.