How TOFT is Revolutionizing Sustainable Travel in India and Nepal

Rewilding tourism has become a pressing need in a time when travel has the power to either improve or worsen the places we love. To show that responsible tourism can be a powerful tool for conservation, TOFT (Tourism for Tigers) has led a trailblazing movement for nearly 20 years. In order to guarantee that tourism actively aids in the preservation of nature rather than merely passively observing wildlife, this change has been crucial.

TOFT’s Pioneering Role in Ethical Travel

TOFT’s journey began with a simple but powerful concept: tourism must support conservation directly. What began as a call for advocacy has since blossomed into a regional movement that spans the lengths of India and Nepal. The organization has worked tirelessly to unite government bodies, conservation groups, and the travel industry, creating a collective force that focuses on the sustainable management of natural resources. By turning tourism into an agent for change, TOFT has redefined how the industry can benefit wildlife and local communities.

The past year has seen TOFT reach significant milestones, further cementing its role as a leader in ethical travel. At a prestigious global awards ceremony, TOFT was honoured as a Sustainable Travel Innovator, placing it among the top 25 global entities that are reshaping ethical tourism. Additionally, the organization received the coveted Good Travel Frontrunner Award 2025 at the Sustainable Destinations Forum in Dubai, proving its credentials as a trusted voice for responsible tourism in South Asia. These accolades highlight the growing recognition of TOFT’s philosophy: tourism should actively contribute to the protection of the natural world.

PUG Eco Rating: A Game-Changer in Sustainability Standards

At the core of TOFT’s impact is the PUG Eco Rating Certification, a comprehensive evaluation system that assesses lodges, safari operators, and other tourism stakeholders against rigorous global sustainability standards. This certification ensures that establishments across India and Nepal adhere to ethical practices in wildlife tourism, reducing environmental footprints while enhancing the visitor experience.

In addition to the certification process, TOFT invests heavily in capacity-building initiatives. Guides, naturalists, and lodge staff undergo continuous training to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to interpret wildlife responsibly and uphold the highest standards of ethical tourism. This emphasis on education and training ensures that each visit contributes to the regeneration of local ecosystems, rather than their degradation.

Visible Results: Sustainability That Goes Beyond Carbon Footprints

TOFT’s approach to sustainability is multifaceted. While reducing carbon footprints and minimizing waste are essential components of sustainable tourism, TOFT recognizes that the true measure of sustainability is the regeneration of ecosystems and the revitalization of local communities. This approach has proven successful across a variety of landscapes, from the dense forests of Madhya Pradesh to the serene Himalayan foothills, where tourism is no longer seen as an extractive force but as a tool for regeneration.

TOFT’s model integrates conservation efforts with community development, creating a harmonious balance between human activity and wildlife preservation. This has been particularly evident in regions where community-run eco-lodges and women-led homestays have become viable alternatives to conventional, large-scale resorts. These initiatives not only reduce the pressure on local forests but also ensure that tourism benefits remain within the local community, empowering them to take charge of their conservation efforts.

Empowering Communities Through Tourism

Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of TOFT’s work is its focus on community empowerment. In rural areas surrounding protected wildlife zones in India and Nepal, tourism is being used as a tool to create dignified livelihoods while safeguarding wildlife. By highlighting these community-led initiatives, TOFT has demonstrated that conservation and economic development are not mutually exclusive.

Through community-managed safari experiences and eco-lodges, TOFT has helped communities forge a deeper connection with their natural surroundings. These models not only provide sustainable income but also foster a sense of pride and responsibility for the local environment. By shifting the focus of tourism to these smaller, community-driven models, TOFT has shown that tourism can act as a catalyst for both ecological restoration and social equity.

TOFT Wildlife and Nature Tourism Awards: A Celebration of Change

TOFT’s flagship event, the TOFT Wildlife and Nature Tourism Awards, has become a cornerstone of the organization’s efforts to celebrate excellence in sustainable tourism. This year marks the eighth edition of the awards, which will be held on December 12, 2025. The awards recognise individuals and organizations that have turned sustainability into measurable impact, focusing on those who have demonstrated innovation, integrity, and meaningful change in the fields of conservation and community empowerment.

The 2025 awards will span 19 categories, including eco-lodges, tour operators, naturalist guides, filmmakers, and emerging champions of climate and community stewardship. What sets these awards apart is their emphasis on innovation and meaningful change, rather than luxury or scale. Rather than celebrating the size of an operation, TOFT recognizes the individuals and organizations that are restoring landscapes, protecting biodiversity, and uplifting local communities through responsible tourism practices.

Rewilding Tourism: A Vision for the Future of Travel

The theme of this year’s awards, “Rewilding Tourism: Sustaining Nature, Empowering Communities,” reflects the growing consensus within the travel industry that tourism must evolve from being a passive observer of wildlife to an active force for regeneration. As the world grapples with the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, TOFT’s message resonates more powerfully than ever.

Rewilding tourism is not just about reconnecting people with nature; it is about ensuring that both the environment and the people who live in it can thrive together. By shifting the focus of tourism towards sustainability and regeneration, TOFT offers a roadmap for the future of travel, where every journey becomes an opportunity to heal and restore the natural world.

A Model for Sustainable Travel

The work of TOFT provides an encouraging example of how travel can be a positive influence on communities that coexist with the environment, in addition to safeguarding it. TOFT has demonstrated that tourism need not be an extractive sector by emphasizing the relationship between conservation and community development. Alternatively, it can be regenerative, providing advantages for the environment and the economy.

The work of TOFT offers a model for environmentally friendly travel as South Asia continues to rise as a global leader in nature tourism. We are one step closer to a future where people and nature coexist peacefully with each eco-lodge constructed, guide trained, and thoughtful tourist who chooses to support sustainable tourism.

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