The Institute was set up by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in 1990 at Goa as apex institution for matters recreational watersporting and aqua-tourism in India. It is only one institution of this kind in the country under the Government, both the Central and the State. Subsequent to a Government order in 2004, it has been declared as Center under Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) and functions accordingly. The location for setting up of NIWS in Goa was recommended by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) after a feasibility study of more than half a dozen locations along the West Coast in 1989.
Since inception, our constant endeavour is to assiduously pursue and fulfil the crucial responsibilities and mandates towards the professionalization of the industry. Three decades of pursuit for excellence accorded a firm footing in the domain and cemented the position of a Nodal Institution importance. With focused strategies, actions and interventions, it has emerged as active participant in establishment of the frameworks and standards required for safe practice of this burgeoning recreational pastime. NIWS works closely with the Central and State Government institutions as well as corporate entities/private entrepreneurs to position and promote watersports as gratifying and personally rewarding experience.
Vision Statement of NIWS
To position and strive as Nodal Body for the matters recreational watersports, Aqua-tourism and adventure tourism and to establish as Institution of excellence in training and capacity-building, education, domain-specific knowledge creation, operational bench-marking and excellence, standards, procedures, protocols, policy support and advocacy in India.
Mission of NIWS
The mission is to promote the cause of aqua-based leisure, recreation, tourism and adventure development and its practice in a manner that is enjoyable, safe, responsible and accessible to all.
The specific objectives drive this mission is:
-Offer Doctoral, Post-graduate, undergraduate, Diploma and Certificate-level programmes to enhance professionalism in the sector.
-Impart scientific training to certify and license the candidates through systematic benchmarked procedure to carry out operations in all domains of recreational watersports, life guarding at water theme-park and pool management.
-Institute certification procedure for Instructors and to benchmark the competencies for professional manpower training.
-Introduce managerial level courses/ EDP’s to man the sector.
-Pursue enforcement of Safety Norms for Operation of Watersports and to re-validate it from time to time in tune with evolving operational and safety protocols.
-Safety audit, inspect and certify the Boat-club & Dive Centers for compliances to operational standards and procedures.
-Create scientific knowledge base to support policy formulation and aqua-tourism development planning.
-Support government agencies and private entities for development and promotion of recreational watersports.
Major Functions of NIWS
The Institute rigorously pursues varied activities and continuously strive for professionalization of the industry. There exists complete agreement on the imperative of establishing the frameworks and standards for the safe practice of recreational watersports. At NIWS, we take concerted efforts to map advancements in the industry and redefine the functions in accordance to remain in sync with the unfolding requirements. Key functions being pursued are certification and licensing of operators for watersports industry, education research/consultancy, policy support, establishing regulations and SoP’s, safety norms and standards, advocacy and development, bench-marking and promotion of recreational watersports as integral component of the burgeoning tourism business. Boat-clubs and Dive-clubs are also inspected and audited for safety protocols and compliances.
Every function is modelled around ‘safety-first’ approach and responsible adventure tourism. To achieve these, mechanisms for close association with the Central and State Government institutions as well as the industry have been brought in place.
IITTM is an autonomous body under Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and is one of the premier institutes in the country offering education, training, research and consultancy in sustainable management of tourism, travel and other allied sectors. The stakeholders’ realization that the country is in need of such professionals who can provide an excellent standard of products and services, resulted in the creation of IITTM in 1983 at New Delhi. It is devoted to the pursuit of higher knowledge in tourism and its dissemination to a diverseaudience. Over the years, Institute has established a distinguished identity of its own and reached at a commanding position among sectoral B-Schools in the country. With its focus in meeting the changing needs of the tourism industry, it has played a pioneering role in the propagation and professionalisation of tourism education. The management of the Institute is entrusted in the hands of the Board of Governors having the Union Minister for Tourism as its Chairperson. The efforts of the Institute have been instrumental in evolving the fundamental framework for tourism education and training in the country as it exists today. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has also entrusted the institute to conduct regional level guide training programmes for all the regions of the country.
Having set the benchmark in Tourism sector, we have begun the journey to define excellence in field of ever expanding Service sector. IITTM, with its vast resource pool and enormous experience will set trends and create new paths which will set the pattern to be followed in future.
The Mission
IITTM is committed to developing quality human resources for tourism and allied services. The target groups of its educational/ training programmes extend much beyond the organized sectors of the economy. IITTM endeavours to nurture professional and managerial excellence, social and cultural sensitivity, moral and ethical responsibility with concern for the environment and strive for latest techniques to develop decision making abilities with a resolute approach towards productivity, excellence, innovation and value for others to enable its participants to keep pace with the changing scenario of the economy and its environs.
The Culture
The faculty, staff, students and the administration of the Institute contribute to the building up an organizational culture marked by team spirit, confidence, mutual respect and concern for others. The students of the regular courses and the participants of various training programmes enrich the culture of the Institute with their diverse background and experience. IITTM welcomes people working at different levels to attend MDPs and various tailor-made training programmes in IITTM centres at Gwalior, Bhubaneswar, New Delhi, Goa and Nellore as well as in other parts of the country.
General Information about NIWS
Venue for training: Most training programmes are conducted at our premises at Caranzalem, near Dona Paula Circle, Panjim (Tel No 91-832-2453898). However, some of the basic training programmes requiring safer inland water conditions and specialized training programmes like river rafting are conducted at suitable off-campus locations. Location and other details of such courses are intimated to the participant well in time.
Accommodation: The Institute presently does not have own boarding & lodging facilities at present. Hence, applicants are advised to make own arrangements. However, Institute may provide assistance to the applicants for arranging their stay at private accommodation near the institute. The cost of dormitory accommodation and catering charges are nominal. The trainees shall have to settle the payments directly with the hotel/caterer.
Confirmation of admission: Candidates will be confirmed of their admission to courses only after depositing required course fees.
Mode of payment: Course fees shall be accepted either through digital mode or by Demand Draft, favouring National Institute of Water sports payable at Panaji. No cash payment shall be accepted.
Arrival Information
By Bus: Institute situated nearly 8 KM away from Panjim bus-stand enroute to Dona Paula. To reach Institute, board a local bus bound for Dauna Paula and get down at 'NIO Circle' stop or a stop before that. Auto rickshaw, Motorcycle (popularly called ‘pilot’) and taxis are also available at Panjim bus terminal.
By Train: Thivim/ Karmali/ Madgaon/Vasco-da-Gama are major railway stations. Karmali is the nearest rail-head (about 18 KM to NIWS) but many trains do not have stop there. One may have to confirm the stoppage of trains. But, all trains passing through Goa has stoppage at Madgaon.
From Madgaon, the economic way of reaching Panjim (approx. 40 km) is non-stop shuttle bus service leaving from Madgaon bus-stand. Taxies and rickshaw are available but one should try to bargain fares. Those getting down at Karmali or Thivim railway stations can board a bus goes to Panjim bus stand or hire other conveyances outside the station.
By AIR: Dabolim airport is the nearest and it is at a distance of around 32 KM. All major towns of India and some Gulf destinations are connected with the airport.