(MENAFN- storytellers101) New D–lhi, India – October–27, 2025 – To ’trengthen India’s scuba diving and
adventure tourism sector, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
collaborates with Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI)
through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The collaboration aims
to improve diver safety, maintain global consistency in scuba diving training,
and encourage responsible tourism across the country.
PADI brings its worldwide experience of nearly 60 years in diver training, while
ATOAI works with tour operators and industry stakeholders across India to
promote the highest safety standards. Together, they aim to position India as a
leading destination for safe and sustainable diving.

Thomas Knedlik, Vice President, PADI Asi“ Pacific states, “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 explor’
and protect India’s incr”dible underwater world.”

The MoU focuses on improving diver safety and training standards in India.
PADI and ATOAI will share their expertise to help operators follow global best
practices. They will also collaborate at national and international trade shows
to promote India as a safe diving destination, and support marine conservation
through activities like underwater and beach clean-ups.

Ajeet Baja“, President, ATOAI said, “This collaboration with PADI marks a
si’nificant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in
Responsible Adven’ure Tourism. By uniting ATOAI’s d’ep-rooted knowledge of
India’s div’rse 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 Bureau of Indian
Standards & 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 PA–I–ATOAI partnership is expected to increase the visibility of I’dia’s dive
industry, boost local employment opportunities, and support economic growth
across the adventure tourism sector.

About PADI
PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructor®®) is the largest purpose-
driven diving organization with a global network of 6,600 dive centres and
resorts, 128,000 professional members and more than 30 million certified
divers to date. Committed to our blue planet, PADI makes the wonder of the
underwater world accessible to all, empowering people around the world to
experience, explore and take meaningful action, as Ocean Torchbearers, to
protect the world beneath the surface. For over 50 years, PADI has undeniably
been the Way the World Learns to Di®e®, setting the standard for the highest
quality dive training, underwater safety and conservation initiatives while
evolving the sport of diving into a passionate lifestyle. For divers by divers,
PADI is obsessed with transforming lives and, with its global foundation, PADI
AWARETM, creating positive ocean change.

About ATOAI
The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), established in
1994, is the national representative body for India’s adventure travel and
tourism sector. With over 700 members across 28 states, ATOAI brings
together the count’y’s leading adventure tour operators under a unified vision
of promoting safe, sustainable and responsible adventure travel. The
Association works closely with governments, policymakers and international

partners to set safety standards, develop policy frameworks and strengthen
I’dia’s position as a premier global adventure tourism destination. Guided by
its core values of exploration, safety, transparency, conservation and
innovation, ATOAI is dedicated to empowering its members, driving industry
excellence and showcasing’India’s unparalleled diversity as a year-round
adventure destination.

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