Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018: Day One

With a goal to promote adventure travel and responsible tourism, India's first large-scale adventure sports expo has launched in New Delhi, India. The three-day event brings together leading travel companies, gear manufacturers, and an accomplished cast of speakers.

Organized by RN Sports Marketing, one of India's leading sports marketing companies, the  Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018 is a first of its kind event. While gatherings like this exist around the world, this is a significant step for the country in promoting adventure tourism. The event has been organized in collaboration with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), the country's premier organization that promotes safe and responsible travel.

Day one of the event began with an inauguration by Shannon Stowell, the CEO of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA)—the most prominent leadership voice and partner for the adventure travel industry around the world.

The first panel discussion focused on women in the world of adventure, featuring Suzanne Al Houby—the first Arab woman to climb Mt. Everest, Archana Sardana—India's first female BASE jumper, Sunita Singh Choken—the first Indian female to do a solo cycling expedition from Kanyakumari to Khardungla, and Dr. Neharika Yadav—India's fastest lady superbiker.

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Other impressive presentations featured tales from Brigadier TPS Chowdhury—the leader of India's first round-the-world sailing expedition, and Malavath Purna—the youngest person in the world to climb Mt. Everest, along with her mentor and guide, Shekhar Babu.

The event concluded with a keynote address by Shannon Stowell, where he focused on global trends as well as making India an adventure tourism powerhouse. The common theme and mission statement of the event, panel discussions, presentations, and exhibitors, promotes the message of ecotourism, responsible travel, safety, collaboration, and environmental managment.

Apart from accomplished speakers and trusted gear manufacturers, the expo includes the country's leading adventure travel companies and is supported by numerous organizations such as Incredible India, the Ecotourism Society of India, PATA, ATTA, Lonely Planet, and the UIAA, amongst many others.