Tourism ministry sets new guidelines for adventure tourism in India

Adventure tourism in India is always a major highlight of the country, and the Tourism Ministry is looking to better the experience by focussing on safety and quality. Hence, the ministry has formulated new guidelines for adventure tourism in India, in consultation with Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI).
The 170-page document contains guidelines that enumerate basic safety standards, and include land, air, and water activities. The adventure sports that have been included in the list are mountaineering, bungee jumping, trekking, paragliding, kayaking, scuba diving, river rafting, and snorkelling. The ministry is looking to better the experience of adventure enthusiasts by educating tour operators about safety norms.


The document entails all Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs), and has age limit for every sport now. Other than that you also have instructions regarding training, the use of proper equipments, emergency rescues, use of sign boards, risk management strategy, permissions for flying, and insurance liabilities, among others. Also, the document includes information regarding minimum standards that tour operators need to follow. For example, tour operators need to register with their respective local tourism department, and also make sure that their staff members are trained regularly. There is also a minimum qualification for staff members in adventure tour business.
Tourism Minister K.J. Alphons said, “In order to have a strong foothold in the field of adventure sports, better safety measures are mandatory. It is imperative that all adventure tourism stakeholders provide for better vigilance and strict adherence to these guidelines.”