Tiger Conservation in India: Our Work with TOFTigers
Every journey we design is private, bespoke and curated around the wellbeing of the forests it visits.
A Founder on the Board of TOFTigers
Our founder serves as a director of TOFTigers, the non-profit that sets the standard for responsible tiger tourism in South Asia. We know what TOFTigers expects of lodges and operators from the inside, and we hold ourselves to it.
What Is TOFTigers?
TOFTigers (Travel Operators for Tigers) was founded by Julian Matthews and Vishal Singh, and the campaign launched in 2004 to encourage more sustainable nature tourism in tiger parks. Its premise is simple: responsible, well-managed tourism gives local people an economic reason to protect tigers and their forests.
- A global network. More than 220 travel businesses worldwide are involved.
- A rigorous eco-rating. Its PUG (Practices Under Guidelines) scoring system holds participating lodges, hotels and resorts to account.
- Training for local guides. Its programmes strengthen the knowledge and skills of guides in the wilderness.
- Recognition of excellence. The TOFTigers Wildlife Awards, established in 2010, celebrate tourism that benefits wildlife and communities.
TOFTigers in the Press
-
TOFT Urges Balanced Debate on Tiger Stress and Nature Tourism in India
Responding to CSIR-CCMB research that linked raised stress levels in tigers to tourism and human activity, TOFTigers called for a balanced debate: it backs stricter rules against harmful practices, and points to the part responsible nature tourism has played in tiger conservation and local livelihoods.
Read the article on ETTravelWorld →
-
TOFT Hosts 8th Annual Wildlife & Nature Tourism Awards in New Delhi
The 8th TOFTigers Wildlife & Nature Tourism Awards were held at Bikaner House, New Delhi, on 12 December 2025, on the theme “Rewilding Tourism: Sustaining Nature, Empowering Communities”. Our founder Vishal Singh, a director of TOFTigers, and Julian Matthews were among those who opened the ceremony.
Read the article on Outlook Traveller →
-
Two Decades of Responsible Tourism
Sanctuary Asia looks back on twenty years of TOFTigers, the campaign founded by Julian Matthews and our founder Vishal Singh, from the 7th TOFTigers Wildlife Tourism Awards in December 2024 to its training work in Kaziranga and the growth of Travelife in India.
Read the article on Sanctuary Asia →
-
Kerala Tourism Honoured with TOFTigers Sanctuary Asia Award for Sustainable Tourism
Kerala Tourism received the TOFTigers Sanctuary Asia Award for its work promoting sustainable, responsible wildlife tourism. The state’s Tourism Minister, Mohammed Riyas, accepted it at the awards ceremony at Bikaner House, Delhi, on 6 December 2024.
Read the article on Kerala Tourism →
Our Commitment to Responsible Travel
- Every journey contributes to TOFTigers, supporting tiger conservation and the communities beside the forests. To add: how the contribution works, and any amount you wish to state.
- A greener fleet. Our own fleet of private vehicles is moving to hybrid and electric models, lowering emissions on every transfer.
- Handpicked lodges that we have worked with for many years and that take their environmental and community responsibilities seriously.
- Quieter ways to explore, from canoe safaris on the Denwa to walking safaris in Satpura and cycling in Kanha and Pench.
- Wild, never staged. Our naturalists follow park rules and keep respectful distances, and we never promise a sighting.
Travel with Purpose
Our safari specialists will curate a bespoke itinerary around your interests and your values.
Speak to a safari specialist