The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism (MOT), Government of India, and the Indian Institute of Travel & Tourism Management (IITTM), successfully conducted the second Responsible Adventure Tourism Guide (RATG) Course from January 15 to January 18, 2025, in Darjeeling, West Bengal.
This nationwide training initiative, led by the Ministry of Tourism and ATOAI, underscores a commitment to enhancing safety and sustainability standards in adventure tourism across India. Supported by the Eastern Region’s Regional Director, Mr. Pranav Prakash, and Assistant Director of India Tourism, Mr. Jotirmoy Biswas, the program was executed with the backing of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).
The Hanifl Center, a leader in wilderness first aid and sustainable adventure education, conducted the four-day course for 43 adventure guides from eastern India. The curriculum, developed in partnership with IITTM, included key topics such as Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles, sustainable adventure tourism practices, professional guiding techniques, and ATOAI safety guidelines.
Participants also received globally recognized certifications in WFA, CPR, Epinephrine Auto-Injector (EAI), and LNT Awareness, equipping them with critical skills for managing emergencies in remote locations and fostering sustainability in their practices.
The course concluded with participants taking the Honorary Warden Pledge, committing to uphold safety, sustainability, inclusivity, and preservation in adventure tourism by adhering to Leave No Trace principles, respecting nature and host communities, and promoting gender-inclusive operations.
This training marked a significant milestone in ATOAI’s mission to shape a safer and more responsible future for adventure tourism in India. With 43 newly certified guides, the initiative reaffirms the synergy between exploration and preservation in the country’s thriving adventure tourism landscape.
