To strengthen India’s scuba diving and adventure tourism sector, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI). This collaboration aims to enhance diver safety, ensure global consistency in scuba diving training, and promote responsible tourism across the country.
PADI brings nearly 60 years of global experience in diver training, while ATOAI works closely with tour operators and adventure industry stakeholders throughout India to uphold the highest safety and operational standards. Together, the two organisations aim to position India as a leading destination for safe and sustainable diving experiences.
Thomas Knedlik, Vice President, PADI Asia Pacific, stated,
“PADI is thrilled to partner with ATOAI to advance sustainable adventure tourism and diving in India. This collaboration will help showcase India as a world-class diving destination, enhance diver education and safety through PADI’s global standards, and contribute to the development and adoption of ISO standards for scuba diving in India. We look forward to inspiring more people to explore and protect India’s incredible underwater world.”
The MoU focuses on elevating diver safety and training standards in India. Under this partnership, PADI and ATOAI will exchange expertise to help operators follow global best practices in scuba diving and adventure tourism. Both organisations will also collaborate at national and international trade shows to promote India as a premier, safe diving destination, and support marine conservation efforts through initiatives such as underwater and beach clean-ups.
Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, said,
“This collaboration with PADI marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in Responsible Adventure Tourism. By uniting ATOAI’s deep-rooted knowledge of India’s diverse adventure landscape with PADI’s internationally recognised expertise in diving safety and education, we aim to set new benchmarks in quality, safety, and sustainability and showcase India as a world-class diving and water sports destination. We propose to work closely with the Bureau of Indian Standards and PADI to help develop and adopt robust national standards for scuba diving and other adventure activities. Together, we are committed to building a responsible and resilient adventure tourism ecosystem that not only offers world-class experiences but also protects and celebrates our natural heritage.”
The PADI–ATOAI partnership is expected to boost the visibility of India’s dive industry, create local employment opportunities, and drive economic growth across the broader adventure tourism sector. By integrating global best practices with India’s natural potential, this collaboration aims to establish India as a sustainable and world-class destination for scuba diving and marine adventure tourism.
