ISO 20602 is officially titled:
“Adventure tourism — Leaders — Personnel competence”
This standard outlines competency requirements for leaders and guides who are responsible for managing adventure tourism activities. It focuses on the skills, knowledge, and attributes needed to lead activities such as:
ISO 20602 defines a framework to ensure personnel are technically capable, risk-aware, and prepared to respond to emergencies—in line with the organization's safety management system.
Adventure tourism presents unique risks, often involving remote locations, variable weather, and physical exertion. ISO 20602 is designed to:
It is especially valuable for businesses certified or working toward ISO 21101 (Adventure Tourism Safety Management System).
Implementing ISO 20602 brings several operational and safety benefits:
Assures that staff leading outdoor activities have the required skills and training.
Promotes awareness of hazards, safety procedures, and incident response readiness.
Provides a benchmark for recruitment, training, and evaluation of guides.
Leads to more professional, reliable, and consistent customer experiences.
Ensures personnel are equipped to manage unexpected incidents or emergencies.
For adventure tourism operators, ISO 20602 delivers critical business advantages:
Build trust with tourists, partners, and regulators by proving guide competence.
Minimize liability with documented evidence of staff qualifications and training.
Differentiate from competitors by promoting internationally compliant practices.
Tourists from regulated markets prefer operators who meet international safety standards.
ISO 20602 complements ISO 21101, helping complete your safety management system.
Empower staff to manage complex or high-risk situations with clarity and confidence.
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