The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) has successfully conducted its Adventure Guide Course in Pune, adding to its nationwide push to professionalise and equip India's adventure tourism sector. The three-day course, held from June 18 to 20, brought together outdoor enthusiasts and experienced guides to build core skills in safety, rescue and risk management.

The course was supported by Vivo Healthcare, which facilitated training in first aid, CPR, and wilderness responder techniques. Designed for those working in remote environments, the curriculum blended classroom instruction with hands-on practice, enabling participants to confidently respond to emergencies and mitigate risk in the field.

Apart from technical know-how, the programme highlighted the importance of ethics and sustainability in adventure travel. By focusing on both safety and responsible tourism, ATOAI aims to prepare a generation of guides who are not only well-trained but also environmentally and socially conscious.

“The backbone of a strong adventure industry lies in how prepared and responsible its professionals are,” said Ronny Singh Gulati, Hon. Secretary of ATOAI. “By scaling such training programmes across cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Darjeeling, and now Pune, we’re building a foundation for a safer, more resilient outdoor community.”

Echoing this, Milind Bhide, Executive Committee Member and Chapter Chairman for the West and Central region, said Pune was a natural choice for the course. “It’s a vibrant base for trekking and climbing communities, and the need for certified, skilled professionals here is only growing.”

As interest in adventure tourism accelerates, ATOAI’s training efforts represent a timely move towards building a more capable and accountable guiding ecosystem in India.