TIA Blog
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Big strides for adventure tourism |
| By GEOFF ENSOR - 18 May 2012 |
Adventure tourism has been under the gun in recent weeks, but we are confident it’s a world-class sector committed to strengthening safety systems.
It’s critical that ‘adventure’ remains in New Zealand’s world-leading adventure tourism sector, but it’s also imperative that operators ensure these adrenalin experiences are being delivered within a strong safety framework.
The SupportAdventure.co.nz website, created as a result of the government-led Adventure Tourism Review is the first significant initiative to come out of the review recommendations.
It offers a “one stop shop” for practical information and advice on running a safe operation.
Developed by TIA with support from Outdoors NZ, the website content comes from consultation with hundreds of organisations and individuals working on the frontline of this sector.
We believe it is a world-first to have an industry created website of this type.
The Adventure Tourism Review found that adventure and outdoor operators would value one central, credible source of safety information. While plenty of information already existed on how to keep staff and clients safe, it was widely spread and often difficult to find.
The Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key launched SupportAdventure earlier this month. Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson also attended the launch, which took place at TRENZ, the tourism industry’s biggest annual international business event.
It was great to have such high profile support for this safety initiative and industry efforts to strengthen safety across the sector.
Since the draft SupportAdventure website was launched in early December 2011, it has attracted over 1000 site visits. We’ve had a great response from operators and overall feedback has been really good.
Marius Bron of Fox Glacier Guiding gives the website link to newly hired international guides before they arrive in New Zealand. He says it gives them a chance to get up to speed with New Zealand safety management practices and finds as a result they are much more in tune with his operation when they arrive.
Start-up operator Ash Burges of Bike Wellington – Mountain Bike Adventure says she has found the information on SupportAdventure enormously useful – “a website that knows the community…simple, helpful and easy to follow.”
Client expectations of safety are higher than ever while the tolerance for mistakes is very low. We are encouraging all adventure tourism operators – even those not covered by the regulations – to adopt the industry-accept safety standards set out on the SupportAdventure.co.nz.
Meanwhile the Department of Labour has received more than 400 notifications from operators around the country who think they are covered by the new adventure activities regulations. DOL says this as a fantastic response. Check out the May Adventure & Outdoor Update to find out where DOL is at with implementing the regulations, including audits.
TIA is also making good progress on other review recommendations DOL has contracted us to deliver, including Activity Specific Guidelines featuring detailed safety information for specific sectors.
In the past two years our sector has put in place more checks and balances and safety guidance for operators who are already very professional. Arguably we are in the strongest position we have ever been when it comes to delivering adventure tourism activities.
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International visitor arrivals to New Zealand are holding up but those who are coming are spending less. I believe there are opportunities to get them to spend more and deliver an even better holiday experience into the bargain. - Adventure tourism regulations – have your say — 25/07/11
Draft adventure tourism regulations have been released by the Department of Labour for public consultation and TIA is encouraging everyone with an interest in this sector to have their say. - Political leaders line up for Tourism Summit — 10/06/11
Political leaders from across the party spectrum will front up to next month’s Tourism Summit, offering an exceptional opportunity to hear their priorities for action for our industry and question them about the issues that matter to you.
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