Monday, May 6, 2013

Adventure Tourism Safety Standards


The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is working on two standards to protect thrill seekers who enjoy adventurous activities like mountaineering, hiking, biking and rafting. According to an ISO release, adventure tourism has grown by 17% in recent years, and 25% of vacations now include at least one form of adventure tourism. While these activities are exciting and unforgettable, many of them can be potentially hazardous, and ISO hopes to curb risks with two new safety standards:

  •        Safety Management Systems (ISO 21101) will present safety management system requirements for adventure tourism providers, including encouraging them to review their current processes, understand participants’ requirements, and define safety procedures.
  •         Information to Participants (ISO 21103) will specify the information that should be provided to potential participants and other interested individuals in the adventure tourism industry, with regard to contractual aspects.


Both standards are expected to be published later in 2013. Find the complete release at ISO’s website.