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The Adventure Tourism Council began developing Quality Tourism Standards (QTS) in the early 1990's. Operators' main concerns were based around the need to raise and improve standards in the adventure tourism sector.
Several draft codes of practice for various sectors have been developed over the years but until 1999 there had been no consensus on the development of a cost effective, practical solution that resolved administration, branding and marketing issues. |
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Global Situation
Internationally, quality-based standards are developing across all industry sectors, including tourism. These are typically centred around the international standards organisation series - including the ISO9000 (production) and ISO14000 (environmental) standards.
Issues of liability, particularly the right to sue for compensatory and exemplary damages, and the potential effect of the European Travel Directive (European Union clients can sue New Zealand suppliers in their country of origin) are also driving the standards' development. |
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What are the Quality Tourism Standards?
The aim of QTS is to provide a client-focussed, cost effective, quality standard for providers of tourism products.
Seven different components within the QTS have been identified to date. These are:
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compliance
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safety
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environment
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cultural
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service
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training
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business
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facilities
These are divided into sector-specific and generic components. Sector-specific components (e.g. safety) will be developed by the sectors themselves while generic components (e.g. environmental), will be facilitated by sector groups, TIANZ and other stakeholders. |
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So Who's Involved?
Below is a sample of the sector specific activities involved.
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Rafting
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Jetboating
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Horse-trekking
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Sea kayaking
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All-terrain vehicles
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Trekking
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Off-road vehicles
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Eco/nature tourism
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Adventure cycling
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Flight seeing
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Hunting
All of the above have generic components added to their own sector-specific components. |
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How Do They Work?
Qualmark will administer and market the QTS programme, and arrange for an annual independent accreditation of the operation. Accreditation will be based on the operator's implementation of the standard and result in the achievment of the Qualmark Visitor Activity Endorsement License.
Successfully accredited companies will be able to market themselves as meeting the standard. They'll also be marketed domestically and internationally by Qualmark and, over time, visitor information centres will give these companies preferential treatment. It's also likely that Tourism New Zealand will make the QTS a minimum qualification for access to their website, international media programme and off-shore marketing. |
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The Benefits of QTS
The development and implementation of QTS is likely to have the following benefits:
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one consistent standard for each sector;
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acceptance by regulatory authorities of "best professional practice";
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lower costs through pre-approval of safety plans for concessions and consents;
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delivery of a disputes resolution process;
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raising of industry standards; and
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ensuring client expectations are met. |
Want to Know More?
For more information email info@tianz.org.nz or click on the links below. |
Relevant Links
www.qualmark.co.nz
www.ecotourism.org.au
www.purenz.com
www.attto.org.nz
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