Omani tourism officials look to New Zealand on adventure activities fact-finding mission

Skills Active Aotearoa last week hosted a group from Oman’s Ministry of Tourism, on a visit to New Zealand to learn more about the country's world-class adventure activities sector, and its highly-skilled and safe workforce.

Omani Undersecretary of Tourism Development Zahir Al Riyami, and Senior Ministry advisors Ghasi Al Hasmi, Khalid Al Azri, Yousuf Al Mujaizi and Dawood Al Rashdi attended a mihi whakatau at Skills Active, followed by a presentation on how Skills Active contributes to a high-quality adventure activity industry in New Zealand.

The visit follows the recent release of Oman’s Tourism 2040 strategy, which seeks to significantly grow the nation’s tourism industry and its contribution to the economy.

The Omani delegation were keen to understanding how adventure activity companies in New Zealand manage health and safety, upskill staff, and monitor skill currency in their workforce.

In its role as the industry training organisation for sport and recreation, Skills Active develops and facilitates qualifications for people working in a range of adventure activity areas, including instructors and guides in abseiling, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, sea kayaking, mountaineering, rafting, bush walking, scuba diving and snowsport.

Skills Active is also the parent company of certified safety auditing body, OutdoorsMark, which specialises in auditing adventure operators to ensure they comply with New Zealand’s health and safety legislation.

During the presentation, Skills Active showcased its online registration system for adventure companies and guides, NZRRP, which allows the public to check they are getting a competent and safe service.

Al Hasmi said Oman’s diverse landscape meant it had huge potential as an adventure tourism hub, and New Zealand was a valuable case study for Oman to consider on its journey to expanding the sector.

The next stop for the delegation is Queenstown, where they are visiting a number of adventure businesses recommended by Skills Active, including Real Journeys, Fat Tyre Adventures, Ziptrek Ecotours, Wildwire Wanaka, Deep Canyon, Aspiring Guides and Canyoning Queenstown.

Skills Active chief executive Grant Davidson said the organisation was glad to provide the visitors with a welcome consistent with its bicultural kaupapa.

Davidson said Skills Active welcomed further discussions with the Ministry about opportunities to work together to strengthen Oman’s growing adventure tourism presence. 

Images: Walking on Wanaka's Roys Peak Track (top) and Omani and Skills Active officials in Wellington last week (below).

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