October 19, 2015 TnH Global

IWTE: a unique alliance for unique wildlife experiences & safaris in India

Purequest Adventures India, an arm of Le Passage To India, has allied with India’s finest, boutique jungle lodges to form a grand alliance for building and promoting wildlife tourism to India. The alliance, named as Indian Wildlife Travel Experts (IWTE), will work as a bridge between best safari operators overseas and boutique lodges in India.

With an aim to promote wildlife tourism in a sustainable and responsible manner, Purequest Adventures, the adventure and wildlife arm of Le Passage to India has joined forces with wildlife experts and select lodge owners across the country to launch a first ever industry initiative – Indian Wildlife Travel Experts. This initiative as an alliance between Purequest Adventures India and 16 unique safari lodges is a concerted effort to promote exceptional wildlife experiences in India. Purequest Adventures India is a part of a global adventure platform with special interest in curating wildlife and safaris experiences in the sub-continent. PQA India promotes its specially crafted experiences through its 16 local offices in India.

The 16 lodge owners who are the members of the alliance are Kipling Camp in Kanha Tiger Reserve, Jim’s Jungle Retreat in Corbett Tiger Reserve, Sarai at Toria in Panna Tiger Reserve, Svasara Jungle Lodge in Tadoba Tiger Reserve, Forsyth Lodge in Satpura Tiger Reserve, Orange County in Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, Chambal Safari Lodge in National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Sherbagh in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, Jawai Leopard Camp in Jawai – District Pali, Rajasthan, Samode Safari Lodge in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Blackbuck Lodge in Velavadar National Park , Tree of Life Jaagir Lodge in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Mary Budden Estate in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Diphlu River Lodge in Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, Lion Safari Camp in Gir National Park and Rann Riders in Little Rann of Kutch.

The launch of IWTE was announced at an event in New Delhi, which was attended by representatives of LPTI, Purequest Adventures India and member lodge owners. The alliance will work together to market India’s wildlife tourism worldwide through its shared presence, whether at select travel fairs or through roadshows in source markets in association with the India Tourism offices. The alliance aims to showcase the best wildlife experiences in India to the international tourists and wildlife enthusiasts through a collection of excellent itineraries. IWTE would highlight India’s wildlife potential at various international fora through education, workshops and blogs.

The alliance will harness the expertise of lodge

owners and wildlife experts who know the variety of products available and Purequest Adventures has a deep understanding of client preferences. This alliance can derive benefits from its global client access.

Mario Habig, Managing Director, Le Passage to India welcomed such an initiative and said, “To conquer new frontiers it is important that things are done differently. I am very excited about the new venture as this is the first strategic and structured approach between the best safari lodges in India and a DMC to bring Indian wildlife on the global map. We have hand-picked best lodges as well as naturalists in the country who have put together exceptional experiences.”

I am very excited about the new venture as this is the first strategic and structured approach between the best safari lodges in India and a DMC to bring Indian wildlife on the global map. We have hand-picked best lodges as well as naturalists in the country who have put together exceptional experiences.

Explaining the methodology of the initiative, Prabhat Verma, Director- India, Purequest Adventures said, “The initiative will work as a bridge between best safari operators overseas and boutique lodges in India. We will go out of our way to educate our partners and create awareness of India’s magnificent wildlife wealth.”

The IWTE will be a bridge between suppliers as well as clients while promoting ethical, eco-friendly sustainable practices. Endorsing this view, Belinda Wright, OBE, Executive Director, Wildlife Protection Society of India said, “Eventually it is us, industry members who must take responsibility for protecting wildlife and their natural habitat while putting India on the world wildlife tourism map. The alliance will benefit from the fact that the members are not driven purely by commercial gains but are interested in showcasing the best of Indian wildlife.”