Trade Bytes

International Adventure Tourism Show comes to Bangalore

Gayatri Vijaykumar - Bangalore

Krishnaprasad Director AmazingGlobal Journeys

The International Adventure Tourism Show - Traits 2008 - will be held in Bangalore from February 1-3, 2008. According to Krishnaprasad, director of AmazingGlobalJourneys that organises the event, approximately 150 exhibitors are expected to showcase their products.

With most IT companies headquartered in Bangalore, Krishnaprasad feels that the city has a vibrant market which can be tapped into in order to promote adventure tourism. "We see great potential in Bangalore, especially in the IT sector. After a long week's work most IT professionals like to head out of the city and there are many adventure spots which they visit," he said. The event would mainly target IT professionals, engineering, medical, dental and management students, defence, National Cadet Corps and individuals. Adventure activities like trekking, rock climbing, scuba diving, wind surfing, sailing, mountain biking, kayaking, mountaineering will be promoted at the event.

Krishnaprasad feels that South India is quite ignorant about adventure tourism with most adventure destinations located in the north. The southern states with an abundance of hilly terrain and a long coastline provide good options to adventure tourism enthusiasts. "I want to spread awareness in South India about adventure tourism. Most of the southern states, especially Karnataka and Kerala have a lot to offer in terms of adventure tourism but these have not been explored to the fullest yet. Traits 2008 will invite tremendous business opportunity and bring awareness about adventure tourism," explained Krishnaprasad. An analysis by the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry states that adventure tourism will emerge as one of the biggest foreign exchange earner for India and can generate US$ 20 billion by 2010.