New Delhi, April 22, 2024 — The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), in collaboration with the Hanifl Centre and the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), proudly announces the successful completion of its Adventure Guide Training Programme. This initiative was designed to equip industry professionals with essential skills, knowledge, and best practices to thrive in the evolving adventure tourism landscape.

Held over four days across three batches at the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) from April 10 to April 21, 2024, the programme brought together adventure guides and tourism stakeholders from across India, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

The training was conducted in three intensive batches at the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), New Delhi, bringing together a total of 91 participants from across the country:

• Batch 1: April 10–13, 2024 - 25 Participants 

• Batch 2: April 14–17, 2024 – 24 Participants

• Batch 3: April 18–21, 2024 – 42 Participants

Comprehensive Training for Real-World Preparedness, Curated and delivered by seasoned experts from the Hanifl Centre, the curriculum covered key areas such as:

1. Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
2. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
3. Epinephrine Auto-Injector (EAI) Use
4. Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles
5. Risk Management & Leadership
6. Environmental Conservation & Sustainability

The programme featured an engaging blend of theoretical sessions, hands-on workshops, and field exercises, allowing participants to gain practical experience and apply their learnings in real-life scenarios.

Industry veterans shared invaluable insights, best practices, and inspiring stories, enriching the participants’ learning journey and reinforcing the importance of professionalism and resilience in the adventure sector.

ATOAI Leadership Speaks

Mr. Ajeet Bajaj, President of ATOAI, expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic participation and the programme’s impact:

“The Adventure Guide Training Programme is a cornerstone in our mission to elevate the standards of adventure tourism in India. By empowering guides with critical skills and a strong professional ethos, we are enhancing both safety and sustainability. We deeply thank Mr. Akshay Shah, Director of the Hanifl Centre, and Col. Vijay Singh, VSM, President of IMF, for their invaluable support.”

A Commitment to Sustainability and Responsible Tourism

Beyond technical training, the programme strongly emphasized ethical guiding, cultural sensitivity, environmental responsibility, and community engagement. Participants pledged to uphold ATOAI’s principles of sustainability, including:

1. Respecting local communities and ecosystems
2. Avoiding single-use plastics
3. Reducing waste and carbon footprint
4. Conserving natural resources

Participants were awarded four international certifications upon successful completion:

1. Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
2. Epinephrine Auto-Injector (EAI)
3. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
4. Leave No Trace (LNT) Awareness

Looking Ahead

As adventure tourism continues to grow in India, ATOAI remains committed to nurturing a skilled, responsible, and safety-conscious workforce. The association plans to conduct similar training programmes across all major adventure tourism hubs starting July 2024.

View Event Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/BBwb8rs2umL5PWfy6