I am interested in a career in adventure tourism? What should I do?

With inputs from Aspire Magazine, High Octane, 2011.

Question:  I am interested in a career in Adventure Tourism?  What are my options and how should I go about this?

Answer:

At present, there are no tailormade courses for adventure tourism in India. The best course of action for those keen on a career in adventure tourism, in my opinion, would be to finish their graduation and follow it up with an MBA in Tourism Administration from the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, apart from which there are numerous universities-like the Himachal University, the Kurukshetra University-that offer a Master's programme in Tourism Administration. While in college it would be equally important to immerse fully into adventure sports.

There are a number of clubs, institutions (like the Youth Hostels' Association of India) and commercial outfitters offering trekking, wildlife activities and river rafting trips and it would be ideal to gain as much experience as possible as well as test your resolve and commitment about getting into adventure tourism.

It is also worth looking at the adventure and mountaineering courses offered by Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi; Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling; and Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali.

These courses are subsidised for Indian nationals and the level of instruction and the overall experience is rated high. The Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering in Gulmarg also comes highly recommended for skiing and adventure training. I would like to emphasise the importance of physical fitness here.

If you are not physically fit, you could still consider an office job in adventure tourism but definitely not field work. Some North American and New Zealand universities offer allied courses such as Adventure Tourism and Outdoor Recreation and Diploma in Adventure Tourism Management.

The ideal way to get going would be with a professional, Government of India, Ministry of Tourism-recognised adventure tour operator. There is need for a rather lengthy apprenticeship in adventure tourism due to concerns of safety and professional guest handling. In terms of emolument, the industry is more passion-driven than moneydriven; although in the present scenario, it is possible to make a decent living in the field.