Tour Operator Scholarship Program

The Adventure Travel World Summit is a unique opportunity for tour operators to seek out professional development, inspiration and mentorship from a collaborative group of fellow adventure travel professionals from around the world.

Each year the ATTA offers scholarships to motivated operators who show a demonstrated potential for positive impact on local cultural, ecological or historical resources while showing a high level of professionalism and ethical business practices.

If you think your organization would benefit from attending the Summit and if it will help you contribute to meaningful growth of the adventure travel industry then we encourage you to apply for a Tour Operator Scholarship. The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. (PDT) on 25 June 2017 or when 75 applications are received. Winners will be announced on July 12.

Three Tour Operator Applicants will receive:

  • A complimentary membership in the ATTA for one year ($600 USD value)
  • One ticket to the 2017 Adventure Travel World Summit ($1,350 value)
  • One marketplace table for the 2017 Summit ($750 value)
  • $1,500 travel stipend for airfare to Salta, Argentina
  • 2017 Scholarship Recipient digital badge
  • Pair up with a Summit Buddy for tips and advice

This year, all entries will be reviewed by members of the ATTA staff and Advisory Board, as well as the Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada, and then voted upon to determine the winners based on:

  • Demonstrated need
  • A history of and potential for positive impact
  • Work related to indigenous tourism (Indigenous tourism refers to tourism activities in which Indigenous people are directly involved either through control of the business and/or by having their culture serve as the essence of the attraction. As such, Indigenous tourism is a distinct form of tourism bridging several other forms of tourism such as ecotourism, cultural tourism, pro-poor tourism, educational tourism, or even events and entertainment.)

Indigenous companies and experience providers owned or controlled by Indigenous people and/or communities will be given a higher priority in the scholarship selection, however it is not a requirement to apply.

Deadline for applications: 11:59PM PDT June 25

2017 Scholarship Program Sponsored By

“The Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada (ATAC) is proud to sponsor this year’s Tour Operator Scholarship Program for the 2017 Adventure Travel World Summit.  We commend the ATTA for supporting us with a new focus on ​Indigenous tourism experiences and operators.  ATAC is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Aboriginal tourism industry in Canada and sharing best practices globally.  Our partnership with ATTA is helping us do this by encouraging more participation by international ​Indigenous tourism operators at the ATWS and other global events.  We look forward to welcoming the ​Indigenous scholarship winners with open arms.”

Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada (ATAC)

Previous Scholarship Recipients

2016

Legends of the Wild - UNITED STATES

Kurdistan Iraq Tours - UNITED STATES

True Adventure - ICELAND

2015

Grand Asian Journeys - UNITED STATES

Project Cordillera - UNITED KINGDOM

Sierra Rios - UNITED STATES

2013

Uptuyu Adventures - AUSTRALIA

Zbulo! - ALBANIA

RED Sustainable Travel - MEXICO

2009

Washow Lodge - CANADA

Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge - ETHIOPIA

Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Adventures - CANADA