The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) hosted a critical and timely webinar titled “Safe Tourism Experience: Insurance Explained!”, spotlighting the indispensable role of travel insurance in safeguarding both operators and travellers in an unpredictable world.
Held virtually from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM IST, the event gathered top experts from government, insurance, and the tourism sector to demystify travel insurance and advocate for its adoption as a best practice across the industry. The webinar came at a time when safety, preparedness and resilience are more crucial than ever for travel businesses and consumers alike.
As travel reclaims momentum in the post-pandemic era and amidst a complex global landscape, the initiative reflects ATOAI’s unwavering commitment to nurturing a safer, more informed tourism ecosystem.
Key Voices and Highlights:
● Mr. Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, underscored the foundational role of insurance in responsible adventure travel. He reiterated the need for trust, transparency and proactive protection mechanisms to ensure that safety remains the bedrock of Indian tourism.
● Mr. Arun Srivastava, Joint Director General, Ministry of Tourism shared the government’s perspective, advocating the promotion of insurance as a standard best practice. His remarks reflected growing institutional support for structured safety measures in tourism.
● Mr. Devesh Srivastava, Former Chairman & MD, General Insurance Corporation of India set the context by clearly articulating the “what” and “why” of insurance— demystifying common misconceptions and outlining its importance for both tourists and tour operators.
● Mr. Dev Karvat, Founder & CEO, Asego Travel Insurance presented cutting-edge product innovations and real-world insurance solutions tailored to today’s evolving travel risks. His insights illuminated how travel insurance can move from being an afterthought to a seamless, tech-driven experience.
The session was capably moderated by Ms. Arshdeep Anand, Vice President, ATOAI, who brought clarity, flow, and sharp questions to ensure rich engagement throughout the discussion. A dynamic Q&A session allowed participants to engage directly with panelists, reflecting the widespread interest and urgent need for clarity on travel insurance practices.
Key Takeaways:
● Insurance as a Norm, Not an Option: Experts emphasized that insurance should be seen as a fundamental pillar of travel planning, not merely a compliance checkbox or luxury.
● Bridging Gaps in Awareness: The industry must work collectively to overcome the information asymmetry and educate both tour operators and consumers on insurance essentials.
● Innovation and Accessibility: With tech-backed innovations, insurance is becoming more accessible, personalized, and integrated with booking journeys—ushering in a new era of smart travel protection.
● Government-Industry Synergy: The collaboration between public institutions and private stakeholders is vital to build a future where safe, insured travel is a default.
President: Ajeet Bajaj | Senior Vice President: Vaibhav Kala | Vice President: Arshdeep Anand Honorary Secretary: Ronny Singh Gulati | Honorary Treasurer: Nirat Bhatt Executive Committee Members: Vishwas Makhija, Milind Bhide, Amit Periwal, Yog Chinmoy Dutt, Shekhar Babu, Paras Loomba, Arvind Bhardwaj, Oken Tayeng, General Manager: Sonam Bhutia
Participants described the session as “enlightening,” “action-oriented,” and “crucial to the safety culture of modern tourism.” The webinar was a clarion call to embed insurance into the DNA of travel operations particularly in adventure tourism where risk and reward often go hand-in-hand.
ATOAI’s Vision for Responsible Travel This latest initiative reinforces ATOAI’s thought leadership in advancing responsible, safety-conscious tourism in India. Through such knowledge-sharing platforms, the association continues to raise the bar for professionalism, preparedness, and passenger well-being
