Is there any scope for Adventure Tourism?
I’m a student of Std X and I want to know about Adventure Tourism. What is it like? Is there any scope for employment?
Anvesha
Bhopal
Adventure tourism is all about taking the roads less travelled. Not only does adventure travelling involve exploring remote areas and a great degree of physical activity but also some measure of controlled risk. Mountaineering expeditions, trekking, paragliding, bungee jumping, rafting, scuba diving and rock climbing are the best-known examples of adventure tourism.
One can choose to work outdoors as an instructor or a tour leader or be a part of a managerial team. The marketing or managerial aspect of this job requires an MBA degree or a diploma in tourism. But people who are involved in the operational aspect (customer interface and all the outdoor work) require professional training in that sport. For example, a water sport would require you to have a certain level of competence as a swimmer. For mountaineering, you should be able to handle the ropes, quite literally. A high level of physical fitness is a basic prerequisite.
Though the job is both physically demanding and risky at times, it will definitely be the most exciting job imaginable. To make a successful instructor, you need to have a passion for the outdoors, courage, the ability to stay calm in critical situations and leadership qualities.
Job positions are available with numerous small or medium adventure tourism companies, wildlife parks or holiday resorts and mountain lodges. You could also exercise your entrepreneurial abilities and start an adventure tours operating company. Get in if you have the passion. It’s a highly rewarding career. So be a part of it!
Dr Vibha Gupta, a feature writer, is a Ph.D. in Mathematics from IIT Roorkee. Her book Careers: A Pathfinder and articles in various publications are an attempt to guide students in choosing a career according to their natural strengths, talents and skills.