Success for NZ delegation at international adventure tourism safety meeting

New Zealand is continuing its proud tradition of working positively and collaboratively in international adventure tourism safety.

Two New Zealand delegates recently travelled to South Korea to contribute to work on an international standard for adventure tourism safety.

Garth Gulley, Outdoors New Zealand OutdoorsMark Programme Manager, represents New Zealand on Working Group 7, which is part of International Standards Organisation (ISO) Technical Committee 228.

Working Group 7 is developing a set of three standards in the field of adventure tourism, dealing with safety management systems, information to clients, and leader competence.

New Zealand became a participant member of Working Group 7 in May 2011 following a New Zealand Government recommendation in the Adventure Tourism and Outdoor Commercial Sector Safety Review. New Zealand's involvement in developing an international standard for adventure tourism stemmed from a belief that it would bring benefits to the New Zealand sector, while also givinh New Zealand an opportunity to share its expertise of adventure tourism activities.

An International Review Group (IRG), representing key outdoor sector stakeholders, was established by Standards New Zealand to coordinate New Zealand's participation in the working group, with Gulley was elected by the IRG to be the New Zealand delegate.

The recent meeting in Seoul was the fifth in a planned series of six with each meeting progressing documents for the planned standards through various drafts.

Gulley says that the IRG looked to New Zealand's adventure tourism sector when developing the comments and amendments for the next draft, stating "we drew on the good work happening as a result of the Adventure Tourism Review - things like the Support Adventure website, the investigation into mandatory qualifications, the Adventure Activities Regulations and so on."

As a result of the New Zealand submissions, and the submissions from all of the other participating countries, the proposed standard, tentatively titled ISO 14489, is now at the stage of Draft International Standard (DIS).

There is still much work to do before the DIS becomes an International Standard, with editing required; more consultation and feedback; and, more voting.

To become an International Standard, there must be a majority of affirmative votes from amongst the member countries.

The other New Zealand delegate present in Seoul was Mary Beth Cook from the NZ Society for Risk Management.

Cook put many hours into the New Zealand feedback and was able to speak strongly in support of a standard that would benefit organisations, staff and participants involved in adventure tourism activities. The group particularly acknowledged her technical writing skills.

Gulley is proud to represent New Zealand in this work, concluding "New Zealand has a strong adventure tourism community. So, when we share our knowledge with the wider international community, we can be sure our voice is respected."

For more information go to www.outdoorsnz.org.nz/

Image courtesy of Ziptrek Ecotours.