The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) adventure travel and responsible tourism conference and mart-2019 concluded at Rishikesh in the presence of Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and others on Friday. About 300 representatives from 28 nations were among those who attended the three-day event.

Referring to scope for adventure tourism in the state, Rawat said that the PATA event will also encourage tourism here. Apart from the participants learning about the State, the event would also help the State know better what the tourists want. Such events also help getting international recognition for the State, he said.

Addressing the media, PATA chief executive officer Mario Hardy said that the aim of the event was to strengthen connection between private and public sectors and share new ideas. He said that considering the scope for adventure tourism in Rishikesh and elsewhere in Uttarakhand, professionals had arrived here for the event. Their response to the scope for adventure tourism and the natural splendour of the State was quite positive. He specially thanked the State’s tourism department on the occasion.

The State’s tourism secretary Dilip Jawalkar said that the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board had hosted the event to establish the state as a major destination for adventure tourism. PATA representatives had themselves chosen Rishikesh as the venue for the event after visiting the town. To facilitate networking and establishment of connections, a heritage walk in Chaurasi Kutia and river rafting in Shivpuri were also organised for those who attended the event.

Adventure Tour Operators Association of India head Swadesh Kumar said that Uttarakhand has everything for adventure tourism though there is need for cordial behaviour with tourists arriving here from across India and abroad.

He also stressed on stringent implementation of safety rules, rescue operation skills and necessary training or adventure sports. Chief secretary Utpal Kumar Singh was also present on the occasion.