AdventureEDU Educators are experienced adventure business owners and trainers; they share proven techniques to help drive profitability and sustainability. AdventureEDU is a UNWTO-endorsed training program specifically dedicated to improving the adventure tourism sector. ATTA’s AdventureEDU Clients include:
AdventureEDU programs for destinations range in price from $17,000 to $30,000 for up to 75 participants. The cost of the program is determined by four variables:
AdventureEDU Guide Training is a five day field instruction course by two field guide experts for up to 20 participants. The cost is $36,000 USD for four major instruction areas: General Technical and Safety Skills; Group Management; Natural and Cultural History Interpretation; Sustainability. This program is the only immersive Guide Training available designed specfically for adventure guides. Learn more about the Guide Training program here.
AdventureEDU is also now available in online modules, perfect for the individual owner / operator or adventure tourism professional looking to expand their industry skill sets. Our current online course library offers courses for under $200 USD – view our courses here.
Yes! If your country is interested in learning how to implement a national certification program for adventure travel, AdventureEDU educators have helped other countries do this in the past, and can work with your destination to design and implement a suitable system for your country.
However, AdventureEDU training seminars are not part of a certification program and the Adventure Travel Trade Association does not certify companies who complete training courses offered through the program.
Yes! AdventureEDU educators with experience in field training as well as AdventureEDU institutional partners provide technical skills training. AdventureEDU institutional partners are recognized market leaders in outdoor skills training. A technical training team working in a single country would likely include a representative from AdventureEDU working alongside regional experts. Technical skills training for guides can be done via our in-destination training (see Course Subject Areas), our Guide Training Program, or a custom designed solution. Contact us for more information.
The success of an in-person AdventureEDU training largely depends on the engagement of the attendees at the event itself through the dynamic nature of networking, discussion and processing ideas alongside industry experts. Invited attendees only, who cannot make it to the training, may receive access to the presentation deck and any worksheets or tools provided by the presenter.
Destinations may choose to record the seminars for an additional price. These recorded sessions may be shared post training with industry professionals in their destination but remain the property of ATTA.
The first step in buying an AdventureEDU program for your destination is to contact the Adventure Travel Trade Association to have a conversation about your destination’s most pressing needs. We can help you select the most appropriate courses from the Adventure Jumpstart program or the Adventure Community Builder, or develop a custom program. This diagram describes how AdventureEDU works in more detail.
AdventureEDU team discusses with the destination the key concerns and desires for training.
ATTA provides a Concept Note describing a recommended program of training ( e.g. in-country or online, a program of 1-day or multiple days).
In-destination AdventureEDU courses cover topics in five course areas. These are :
You can read more about them here.
Additionally, we also offer field training specifically for Adventure Travel Guides. Read more here.
Training is provided by educators from the AdventureEDU team. You can read more about our team of experts here.
Educators are assigned to AdventureEDU programs based on their areas of expertise and availability. You may meet with the educators assigned to your program prior to the start of the session.
All AdventureEDU training materials may be re-used by participants in the future, and participants are encouraged to share materials and lessons learned in the sessions. “Train-the-trainer” means a specific type of training that involves coaching future trainers through role playing, scenario testing, and extensive question and answer sessions which prepare them to deliver the content independently. Train-the-trainer programs can be made available for an additional fee.
AdventureEDU can offer destinations a monthly check-in with AdventureEDU educators to review key concepts, answer new questions, and compare progress against goals.
You can be assured that your AdventureEDU program will meet your specific needs because we work closely with you to refine the content of your program prior to its start.
AdventureEDU training programs are custom-fit to your needs and budget. A program may consist of three seminars offered over the course of a single day, or fifteen seminars over the course of a week. Programs may also be designed to specify routine monthly coaching sessions with companies over the course of three, six or twelve months.
AdventureEDU training programs are offered in interactive seminars using presentation materials, worksheets and exercises. In some cases, field trips are planned. Technical skills training is offered in the field.
AdventureEDU offers business management courses for adventure travel operators in five course areas:
You can read more about them here.
AdventureEDU can also provide technical skills training for adventure travel operators and guides based on your specific needs. A few of the technical skills we train include whitewater rafting, canyoning, rock climbing, mountaineering, swiftwater and high altitude rescue. Please contact us to discuss your specific need.
Seminars can be provided online using our GoToMeeting platform which allows participants to view the instructor’s presentation and ask questions during the seminar. Online training can be used to support an in-person series of seminars or offered as a stand-alone service.
AdventureEDU JumpStart and Community Builder programs can be offered to up to 150 people. Participant groups of this size are split into working groups to complete exercises. AdventureEDU Guide Training is offered for groups of 20 or less.
AdventureEDU offered its first training programs in 2011. Case studies from past clients are available here.
You may distribute course materials to employees or partners (with ATTA approval) who were not able to participate in the original program provided you maintain the AdventureEDU branding in all materials. You may privately publish the material in a secure (password protected) area available to employees and partners, appropriately branded, with ATTA approval.
AdventureEDU JumpStart and Community Builder training programs are custom-fit to your needs and budget. A program may consist of three seminars offered over the course of a single day, or fifteen seminars over the course of a week. Programs may also be designed to specify routine monthly coaching sessions with companies over the course of three, six or twelve months. Past programs have included 90-minute single topic seminars, three-day workshops, and five-day programs including field trips. There really is no “typical” AdventureEDU program!
AdventureEDU Guide Training, on the other hand, has been carefully designed by seasoned industry guiding experts to include training in all major aspects of guiding. This program is therefore more structured, consisting of five full training days in the field, complete with exercises, presentations and interactive coaching.
Past programs have included 90-minute single topic seminars, three-day workshops, and five-day programs including field trips. There really is no “typical” AdventureEDU program!
Yes. If, at the conclusion of your AdventureEDU training program you would like engage one of your educators for more in-depth consulting, you may do so.
In a multi-day course an educator may request that participants complete an exercise outside the session.
Yes. If your destination is planning a promotional event for adventure tourism, a program of training for businesses and guides can be developed to support the marketing campaign.
Our online AdventureEDU courses require only that you have a reliable internet connection and a computer.
AdventureEDU educators currently provide training in English and Spanish. We are always interested in meeting new trainers and educators with other language skills. If you would like to nominate a potential AdventureEDU educator with specific language skills, you may do so here.
AdventureEDU is a separate entity, comprised of the ATTA, partners and individual experts and consultants. The resources compiled here are therefore not ATTA Member Benefits. Members should contact AdventureEDU to find out about ATTA Member pricing options, as some of the EDU content might be available at Member Discount.
Industry Research & Trends
Regional Sources
Tour Guides
Do you have information on adventure guide training, standards, or certifications in your country or region? Please click here to provide us with more details that we can share with the community.
Sustainable Tourism
Other Resources