ATOAI Announces 2024-26 Leadership Team at AGM

On September 16, 2024, at The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa in New Delhi, the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India held its elections for the 2024–26 term after concluding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the 2023–24 fiscal year. At the end of the event, a fellowship dinner was held to foster unity and friendship among its members, who had travelled from all across the nation.

Annual General Meeting 2023-24: 

The AGM began with a visionary statement by ATOAI President, Mr. Ajeet Bajaj, who underscored the association's unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable and responsible adventure tourism in India. He praised ATOAI members' collaborative efforts to promote responsible tourism initiatives while highlighting the association's outstanding progress and transformative achievements during the previous year.

Mr. Ronny Singh Gulati, Honorary Secretary, presented the full yearly report highlighting ATOAI's revolutionary initiatives and important successes throughout the 2023-24 term.

Mr. Nirat Bhatt, Honorary Treasurer, reviewed the fiscal year 2023-24 financial performance report. His extensive research included crucial financial data and insights into the association's financial stability and operational effectiveness during this period.

Resolutions passed at the AGM include:

• Approval of the Previous Minutes: The AGM passed the minutes from the 2023 AGM, held on September 20, 2023.
• Financial Overview: Honorary Treasurer Mr. Nirat Bhatt presented the financial report for 2023-24, which the AGM unanimously approved.
• Auditor Appointment: The AGM formalized the appointment of SPH & Associates, represented by Mr. Pawan Kumar Ambawta, as auditors for the 2024-25 financial year.

Senior Vice President, Mr. Tejbir Singh Anand, delivered the vote of thanks, extending deep appreciation to the ATOAI Executive Committee, Secretariat, members, the Ministry of Tourism, state governments and the Indian Army for their invaluable support in propelling the adventure tourism sector forward.

Elections 2024-26: 

Under the stewardship of Returning Officer Mr. Rajiv Kohli, the ATOAI successfully conducted its elections, announcing the following unopposed leaders for the 2024-26 term:

Office Bearers

• President: Mr. Ajeet Bajaj, Padmashri Awardee, Managing Director, Snow Leopard Adventures Pvt. Ltd.

• Senior Vice President: Mr. Vaibhav Kala, Managing Director, Aquaterra Adventures India Pvt. Ltd.

• Vice President: Ms. Arshdeep Anand, Director, Holiday Moods Adventures Spectrum.

• Honorary Secretary: Mr. Ronny Gulati, Managing Director, Youreka Campouts Services Pvt. Ltd.
• Honorary Treasurer: Mr. Nirat Bhatt, Managing Director, Nidus Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.

Executive Committee Members

• Mr. Vishwas Makhija, Managing Director, India Insight Tours Pvt. Ltd. (Imm. Past President)

• Mr. Milind Bhide, Founder & Director, Countryside Adventure Holidays Pvt. Ltd.

• Mr. Amit Periwal, Clubside Tours and Travels Pvt. Ltd.

• Mr. Yog Dutt, Founder Director, Junoon Adventure and Eco Tours Pvt. Ltd.

• Mr. Shekhar Babu, Director, Transcend Adventures Pvt. Ltd.

This new leadership team is poised to drive transformational growth in India's adventure tourism market. Their strategy is to develop strong collaborations with government agencies and industry leaders to support forward-thinking policies and boost India's status as a leading global adventure tourism destination.

Fellowship Dinner: 

The Fellowship Dinner, an evening honouring the collaboration and common goal within the adventure tourism community, marked the end of the AGM and elections. Col. Vijay Singh VSM (retd), President and Honorary Secretary of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, delighted the occasion with his presence. He reaffirmed ATOAI's commitment to the industry's growth by pledging unflinching support. The Honorary Patron of ATOAI, Brigadier Ashok Abbey AVSM (retd), stressed the revolutionary role ATOAI has played in establishing new industrial standards, improving safety procedures, and promoting environmentally friendly practices. His praise highlighted how important it is to work together to establish India as a global leader in adventure travel. Col. Preetinder Singh Chohan, the Director of the Army Adventure Wing, was there as well.

ABOUT ATOAI: 

A group of forward-thinking pioneers in the travel industry formed the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) in 1994 to establish India as the world's top adventure destination. With over 700+ adventure travel and tourism professionals, ATOAI is the country's leading authority on adventure tourism. It brings together enthusiastic travellers and tourism professionals from around the nation committed to furthering sustainable tourism practices.