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Himachal pumps up adventure tourism with mountain biking

Bhisham Mansukhani -Mumbai

As part of the action to grab a slice of the potential Rs 300 crore adventure tourism pie, Himachal Tourism is training its sights on mountain biking as the most scenic way to enjoy the state with a landmark international event which concluded recently. The Hercules MTB Himachal mountain biking race which ran from October 6 to 13, featured over 60 riders from eight countries, on a circuit spanning 480 kms from Shimla to Manali, camping in the wilderness and interacting with the locals who even cooked for them. Himachal Tourism sees the event as the ideal launch pad for establishing itself as a global mainstay in the international bike tourism market, which in the UK alone is valued at 635 million pounds annually. The event will be an annual fixture.

Himachal Tourism has already set up and is promoting biking trails around the state. The department also organises the pre World Cup for paragliding at the world famous Bir and Billing area of Kangra district. It also promotes mountaineering. The world renowned Western Himalayan Mountaineering and Allied Sports Institute is located in Manali which works under the direct guidance and supervision of the Department of Tourism and Sports.

Himachal Tourism also promotes white water rafting, trekking, horse riding, and water sports at the Maharana Ranjit Sagar dam and the Pong dam. The department also supports motorsports as well as the event "Raid de Himalaya".

Facilities and details of the equipment have been made available with all major tour operators and the offices of Himachal Tourism and HPTDC hotels around Himachal. The department is also encouraging village tourism, home stays, religious, and cultural tourism. Adventure tourism, however, remains a key focus given that the Adventure Tour Operators' Association of India (ATOAI), registered a growth of over 20 per cent last year and the segment is currently valued at Rs 300 crore. The growth figure is expected to double this year. Overseas trends indicate that bicycle tourism could reach 5 to 10 per cent of the total tourism market as many countries in Europe and the USA are expanding their marketing and bicycling infrastructure to attract more cyclists. Bicycle tourism is valued at 635 million pounds per year in the UK. The forecast for bicycle tourism right across Europe is 14 billion pounds per year within the next twenty years.