The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) hosted a landmark webinar on 27th August 2024 titled “Safe Journeys: Enhancing Women’s Safety in Tourism,” organized by the ATOAI Women’s Collective and supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The event brought together a wide array of stakeholders from the travel industry, including tour operators, travel agents, hospitality professionals, and government representatives, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for women in tourism.

Keynote speaker Ms. Mugdha Sinha, Director General at the Ministry of Tourism, highlighted the Ministry’s dedication to addressing safety concerns and promoting gender equality within the sector. The expert panel, featuring industry leaders like Hannah Pearson from the Adventure Travel Trade Association, Dilshad Master Kumar from Bull’s Adventures, and Mohit Aggarwal from Asian Adventures, shared valuable sugeestions for enhancing women’s safety in tourism.

The webinar underscored several critical areas for advancing women’s safety, including the need for adhering to internationally recognized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistent safety practices, the importance of gender sensitization to address specific needs and risks, and the establishment of effective safety protocols at destinations. Incorporating gender perspectives into safety practices was also emphasized to develop tailored safety measures that promote equity.

The ATOAI Women’s Collective plans to continue this crucial dialogue through future initiatives, using the insights gained to create comprehensive guidelines and best practices, ensuring that women’s safety remains a priority in the tourism industry