It wasn’t very long ago that I went on a trip to Thailand with my friends. A regular trip with some really cool people, relaxing by the beach in Phuket and savouring the subtle luxuries of life with our margaritas in peace and tranquillity.
We had our itinerary in place but we were mostly focusing on shopping and the nightlife of Bangkok. However, our trip took a turn for the better when one of my friends suddenly had the idea of consulting a tour guide to explore the lush forests, beaches, and rich culture of Thailand. We booked an adventure package that included trekking, visiting the remote beaches that are not that well-known to tourists, zip-lining, hiking, and a plethora of other quests.
That was when I realized the importance and potential of the adventure sector abroad. It does not just bring with it a lot of profit, but it also brings a fulfilling experience and excitement that always keeps you on the edge.
This piece is an attempt to elaborately explain to you some of the most crucial things to know before embarking on a job in the adventure sector. It talks about the requirements and permits, legal considerations, cultural do’s and don’ts, the various adventure roles one can take, training, and most importantly, the budget one should consider before taking up a job in this sector.
We talk about the jobs in the adventure sector in general and the different job roles one can take. We talk about how one can zero in on the destination and the employer or the organization to work for, and the legal requirements for adventure jobs abroad.
Understanding the Adventure Sector
Have you ever thought of finding the meaning of ‘adventure’ in a dictionary? Of course, you know what it means; just as a matter of curiosity, have you done that? Well, if you would have looked for its meaning then you would have found objectives like “thrilling,” “daring,” “risk” and more.
These words commonly give a sneak peek into the ‘adventure sector.’ What the professionals may do and how well are they compensated? You can think of any outdoorsy activity, and that would fall under this sector – from peaceful hiking in the forests to organized extreme sports.
The millennials and Gen Z are among the most enthusiastic about travel; the adrenaline rush is an essential ingredient that makes life satisfying for them. This is one of the top reasons behind a thriving travel and tourism sector. The guides are often trained, especially in these activities that would cater to these tourists seeking that buzz.
Typical Job Roles
If you are keen to work abroad in the adventure industry, there’s an array of job roles you can look out for. You can consider the following job roles when seeking to build a path in the adventure sector:
- If you have been an athlete for any part of your life then you can surely consider becoming an adventure sports coach. Adventure tourism is on the rise and so is the demand for trainers for different adventure activities like hiking, river rafting, snorkeling, rock climbing, and others. For this particular job, background in athletics and coaching certifications are a must.
- You can also opt to become a tourism operator in the adventure sector. For this, you need to be a good organizer and a good planner and should be good in the logistics department. You need to take care of the bookings, prepare the packages, and should have good planning skills. For this job, you need a strong background and certifications in hospitality management or tourism.
- One of the most popular jobs in this sector would be that of an adventure guide. These are the people who have strong leadership skills and back them up with a background and certification in a specific activity. It could be mountaineering, bungee jumping, and so on. They are the ones who would need to ensure the safety of everyone on board and guide them in the activities for an enhanced experience.
Another important job role would be that of an event coordinator. They would need to organize the trips and activities along with itineraries and even manage the logistics. These people would need knowledge about various adventure activities so that they can deliver a fulfilling experience to the clients.
Researching Destination and Employer
Doing thorough research about the country where you wish to work is very important. You must know the language of the chosen country because you would to communicate with everyone even for the necessities. Interactions would be a lot more effective if you knew the local language. Besides the language, you must also be aware of their culture, local customs, traditions, festivals, and other practices to gel with them. This will help them to get comfortable with you and bond well. It will be of great help to secure business.
You must be aware of the local weather conditions, so as to ensure tourist safety. You must know about the seasonal changes and the hazards before taking up the job role of an instructor or even a planner. You should also care for the local heritage and the local environment and make the tourists or the clients more aware of it too.
If you at all decide to go for this job, the safety of the clients, and crew members, should be your number one priority along with your own safety concern. Nature is unpredictable. Working in the adventure sector is fun but calls for substantial knowledge, meticulous presence of mind, quick decision-making ability, and promptness in responding. You need to know the areas where natural disasters hit often, where weather isn’t favorable, and possible escape routes to move the tourists to safety in case of any unpleasant event. Certain adventure activities need permits from local or relevant authorities; you must know whom to contact for the permit in which area and how to keep the local authorities involved to ensure a smooth journey.
Thorough research about the destination is of utmost importance when it comes to taking up jobs in the adventure sector. This will ensure safety for the job applicants and in turn the prospective professionals can also provide safe and enriching adventure experiences to their clients.
Employer Reputation
After you have researched the potential destination, you must conduct detailed research about your employer or potential employer as well. Start with social media for that purpose. You can search for reviews on different adventure forums, look up their web pages, connect with others who have worked for the same employer, and analyze the ratings and reviews they have received across various platforms like Google, Reddit, and even their Facebook groups.
Check whether the organization has the required certifications for conducting the various adventurous activities, or if the organization has received an award in any related category, then even better. Local people and local guides can also help you with an idea about the reputation that the organization holds.
You can also check for their safety records and investigate whether there has been any case of an accident previously and how it was dealt with. The previous clients and the partnerships of the organization, if there are any, would also be a great source of information. You must make these considerations before your final decision.
Legal Requirements
Since it is a foreign country, you must be aware of the legal requirements for visas and work permits. You must ensure you have proper documents and that they are enough to work in the country of your choice. Some countries might have very specific laws and if you want to work there, you must be aware of its laws and customs.
You must also get a clear understanding of the visa types that would be required for that country and that particular job. Work permits and visas have expiry dates and you must renew them before they cross that date. If you want make the best of the rules and laws of your host country, you must be aware of them.
Therefore, before considering the adventure sector in a foreign country, it would be wise to do exhaustive research to ensure that your working experience is smooth, successful, and falls within the legal framework.
Preparing for the Adventure Lifestyle
The life of a professional working in the adventure sector isn’t the same as others and here physical fitness with an alert mind are top priorities; you cannot compromise with any of them.
Physical Fitness
Unless you are physically fit, you cannot ensure the client’s safety. Physical fitness is the primary requirement to endure tough terrains and risky zones. You can work for longer hours without burnout and remain at the top of your performance.
Skill Certification
When working in the adventure sector and dealing with clients, you need relevant certifications, firstly, to earn clients’ trust and confidence. Secondly, skill certification is crucial to claim your proficiency and expertise. First Aid Certification is a basic skill because it ensures you can provide basic first aid or other preliminary medical attention when needed. Relevant training and certification for working as an adventure facilitator, tour guide, or even an adventure planner. Different organizations offer different certifications, and they vary from one country to another. You must check with recognized authorities of the country where you want to work and then reach out for their certification programs.
Adaptability
Nature is the most unpredictable element and as someone working in the adventure sector, you must be adaptable. The outdoor activities are highly dependent on weather conditions. So, you must adjust to and be prepared for the uncertainties and lead the group through odd situations like natural calamities, equipment failure, or anything else. You must have a few alternate plans and shift to any of them, immediately if anything unforeseen happens. So, they need to be adaptable and manage with calmness otherwise it will trigger panic throughout the group, adding woes to the situation. Your positive attitude will ensure everyone’s safety.
Financial Considerations
Since we are talking about working abroad, managing your finances is a big concern and it is the same across every sector. So, before you move out and while studying about the adventure sectors of different nations, know how feasible it is to live there from the financial aspect.
Cost of Living
Managing one’s finances is extremely important; when you are staying abroad you cannot afford to go wrong with it. The cost of living may vary from one region to another and you may not know all cost overheads from a distance so budgeting is important without any alternative. Research again becomes a very important element here. Before going to a different country to work, one must conduct thorough research on the country’s lifestyle and cost of living. One should also monitor the exchange rates as it can have an impact on the budget. One should also break down their expenses like allocating a budget for housing, food, medical expenses, miscellaneous, entertainment, etc. Tracking one’s spending habits and keeping a surplus fund for emergencies will also be helpful.
Salary and Benefits
Industries and their monetary value vary from one nation to another. Similar is the case with the adventure sector of different countries. The performance of the adventure sector in Australia might vary from the US; one could be performing better than the other. Remuneration and related benefits of the professionals in these sectors might vary. It may also vary depending on the designations and job roles.
Emergency Funds
While working in the adventure sector, you must set aside an emergency fund as unforeseen expenses can occur at any time. Sometimes, equipment failures can cost a lot and one needs to be prepared for that. Also, many adventure sports are seasonal and one can only earn during a particular time or season. Setting aside an emergency fund would help one in gaining some financial security and stability. One can set aside a target amount and then start building with that.
Cultural and Social Integration
Culture is a soft corner and a sensitive area for individuals irrespective of the region to which they belong. When you interact with people from different regions, pay attention and address their culture, and treat them with equal respect. This will only make you more acceptable and thus preferable.
Cultural Sensitivity
To be a successful professional in the adventure sector, you must respect the local customs, traditions, and culture of the country. As said before, it will increase your acceptability and at the same time, help in winning the community’s trust, confidence, and support from local authorities. Understanding the local culture and traditions would also ensure that the tourists or the clients have an authentic experience. On the other hand, you will play a role in preserving the local traditions, ensuring that there are no legal issues with the local community because some regions have their specific laws.
Building Relationships
It is an outcome of what we just discussed; by being respectful and considerate of the local cultures of respective regions you become more acceptable to the people there. It helps you bond well with the local people affiliated with different cultures. For instance, people you are dealing with might have a particular greeting style as a part of their custom (it would be helpful to learn it), or a specific dressing style. Basic yet important adaptations like learning the local language, participating in cultural festivals, or keeping in touch with them periodically can help in connecting with them more meaningfully.
Language Skill
If you speak in the local language, local people relate to and trust you more. It shows your effort, that you went the extra mile to learn their language and connect with them. It encourages local people to cooperate, communicate more effectively, and create immersive experiences. You feel more confident in being able to communicate with the locals; you will come across them often while working on your job role.
Health and Safety
You are solely responsible for your health and well-being outside your country. At least this is what you must prepare yourself to be like – completely independent. For that, you must ensure you enjoy good health, that you can take care of yourself, and ensure your own safety.
Health Precautions
When you plan to move out of your country, you must be healthy enough to survive alone outside. So, ensure that you undergo a thorough medical check-up, have the required vaccinations, and have your health insured. The last component is extremely important because working in the adventure sector exposes you to substantial risks. So, by having your health insured you can save such expenses.
Safety Protocols
Adventure activities and sports come with a certain level of risk along with excitement. It is the planners and the instructor’s responsibility to make it safe for the tourists. A few safety protocols should be in place to reduce the risk factors and make it a memorable experience for tourists. You must ensure that everyone is wearing proper safety gear and following the instructions of the tour guide. Check if you can assess the environment and then make the decisions. Ensure the communication channels for communication always work so that they alert the concerned person when needed.
Career Development and Opportunities
Working abroad gives you extraordinary exposure in terms of opportunities and more. It is, in fact, one of the primary reasons behind candidates looking to work in the adventure sectors or other countries.
Networking
As you travel abroad, you meet people expanding your network and bringing more career opportunities. Making the most of adventure tourism depends heavily on personal rapport with others; these connections boost your credibility, and help you gather a lot of experience from the industry experts. At the same time, it gets you more job opportunities, especially in foreign countries.
Skill Enhancement
Engaging in continuous skill development while working abroad gives your career a great boost. Training programs that are tailor-made for specific adventure activities like mountaineering programs, diving training, and others help in upgrading careers as well. Internationally recognized qualifications and certifications don’t just help you get a good job in your country but also in many other countries across the globe. You can also attend workshops and seminars for certification.
Future Prospects
We have already covered that working in the adventure sector can open up diverse avenues for workers. Your ability to work in different regions, among different cultures, and under different circumstances can exceptionally empower your resume. Certification from internationally acclaimed organizations will also make you more acceptable to international organizations; this is an added advantage.
Personal Preparation and Packing
Before embarking on the journey of working in the adventure sector outside your country, pack your bags mindfully; you cannot return to your home to get them if you forget.
Essential Gear
Outdoor gear like first-aid kits, maps and compasses, flashlights, adequate water bottles and food packages, and clothing that is specific to hiking, mountaineering, and others are really important. Activity-specific gears are also very important for ensuring your clients’ safety.
Packing Tips
Pack your garments according to the weather of the country you are traveling to. If the country has lower temperatures, then carry enough clothes for layering up and the footwear should be durable, especially for rough terrains. Carry quick-drying clothes, hoodies, and others depending on the country’s weather conditions. If the country is warmer then carry enough breathable clothes and suitable shoes. Ensure you carry sun-protective gear and ointments as well.
Documentation
Passport, work permit, visa, and vaccination records are staples. Besides these, you must also carry your travel insurance (if you have any), certificates, and other documents to support your identity, educational qualifications, professional expertise, and other relevant documents.
Working in the adventure sector comes with both pros and cons. It comes with a lot of exciting and diverse opportunities and with a set of challenges. Working in different cities brings in a wealth of experience and career growth but it comes with safety risks. You may also face language barriers and isolation, and the job itself might not be fulfilling. However, you are an adult; moving ahead from these limitations won’t be a task for you. You can balance these challenges well too.
With the help of thorough research and preparedness, you can wing through the challenges and venture into a journey that will bring you new experiences, establish new connections, and support your passion and dreams. You can expect a thriving career in the adventure sector if you dive into it with confidence and adequate research. So, start preparing!