**Policy Summary: Promotion of Coastal and Marine Adventure Tourism in India**
This policy addresses the promotion of coastal and marine adventure tourism, with a specific focus on states like Andhra Pradesh and cities such as Visakhapatnam. The Ministry of Tourism acknowledges the potential for growth in adventure tourism activities, including scuba diving, surfing, parasailing, and kayaking.
The policy emphasizes that the development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including adventure tourism, is primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism complements these efforts through schemes and initiatives like Swadesh Darshan, Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development. These schemes provide financial assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations for tourism infrastructure development, including adventure tourism projects. Project selection and sanctioning are contingent upon project proposal submissions, adherence to scheme guidelines, and the submission of Detailed Project Reports in consultation with State Governments/Union Territory Administrations/Central Agencies.
To ensure safety in the adventure tourism sector, the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), has formulated Model Adventure Safety Guidelines. These guidelines have been circulated to all States and Union Territories for adoption and implementation in the formulation or updating of their safety protocols. The States/Union Territories have been requested to maintain strict oversight of all adventure-related activities and ensure adherence to safety regulations and licensing norms by all operators.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Government of India's Ministry responsible for tourism policies and initiatives.
SHRI SRIBHARAT MATHUKUMILLI: Member of Lok Sabha who raised a question about promotion of coastal and marine adventure tourism.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India with significant coastal region and potential for adventure tourism.
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh: A coastal city in Andhra Pradesh, specifically mentioned for its potential in coastal adventure tourism.
Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI): An association collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism to create sustainable tourism models.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism who answered the question in Lok Sabha.
Swadesh Darshan: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for tourism infrastructure development.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD): A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for tourism infrastructure development.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1329
ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
PROMOTION OF COASTAL AND MARINE ADVENTURE TOURISM
1329. SHRI SRIBHARAT MATHUKUMILLI:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has assessed the potential for growth
in coastal adventure tourism activities such as scuba diving,
surfing, parasailing, and kayaking in States like Andhra Pradesh,
particularly in coastal cities such as Visakhapatnam;
(b) whether any safety standards, certification requirements, or
training protocols have been issued or recommended for
operators offering high-risk water-based tourism in these
coastal regions, and if so, the details thereof along with the
manner in which enforcement is being ensured;
(c) whether the Government is supporting State Governments in
developing infrastructure, local capacity, and skilled guides for
coastal and marine-based adventure tourism;
(d) whether any collaboration is underway with bodies such as the
Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) and
relevant maritime safety authorities to create sustainable
tourism models along Andhra Pradesh’s coastline, with a focus
on safety, ecology, and community participation; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and
products, including adventure tourism is undertaken by the
respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The
Ministry complements the efforts of States/UTs through various
schemes and initiatives.The Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of
‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage
Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies
for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ extends financial assistance
to the State Governments/UT Administrations for tourism
infrastructure development in the country including adventure
tourism. The projects undertaken for development by the Ministry are
identified in consultation with State Governments/Union
Territory Administrations/Central Agencies and are sanctioned
subject to submission of project proposals by them, their adherence
to relevant scheme guidelines and submission of suitable Detailed
Project Reports.
The Ministry of Tourism, in association with the Adventure Tour
Operators Association of India (ATOAI) has formulated Model
Adventure Safety Guidelines with an aim to establish a
comprehensive and standardized framework to ensure safety in the
Adventure Tourism sector across India. These guidelines have been
circulated to all States and Union Territories for adoption and
formulation/updation of safety protocols.
All the States/Union Territories have been requested to maintain a
strict watch on all adventure related activities and ensure strict
adherence to safety regulations and licensing norms by all the
operators.
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