ISO 3021:2023
(Main)Adventure tourism — Hiking and trekking activities — Requirements and recommendations
Adventure tourism — Hiking and trekking activities — Requirements and recommendations
This document establishes requirements for adventure tourism involving hiking and trekking activities, relating to the safety of participants, leaders and assistants. This document also establishes criteria relating to characteristics and difficulty level for hiking and trekking route classification. This document applies to hiking and trekking activities that are offered as tourism products. Tourism product design involves a product planning and development phase that is not subject to this document. Some tourism products include hiking and/or trekking activities together with other tourism services (e.g. transfers, meals, lodging), but this document applies only to hiking and trekking activities, the additional tourism services being excluded from the scope. This document is applicable to any kind of adventure tourism activity provider that offers tourism products consisting of hiking and/or trekking activities.
Tourisme d’aventure — Activités de randonnée et de trekking — Exigences et recommandations
Le présent document établit les exigences relatives au tourisme d’aventure impliquant des activités de randonnée et de trekking, qui ont trait à la sécurité des participants, des guides et des assistants. Le présent document définit également des critères relatifs aux caractéristiques et au niveau de difficulté pour la cotation des parcours de randonnée et de trekking. Le présent document s’applique aux activités de randonnée et de trekking proposées comme produits touristiques. La conception de produits touristiques implique une phase de développement et de planification qui ne fait pas partie du domaine d’application du présent document. Certains produits touristiques comprennent des activités de randonnée et/ou de trekking, associées à d’autres services touristiques (par exemple, les transferts, les repas ou l’hébergement), mais le présent document s’applique uniquement aux activités de randonnée et de trekking, les services touristiques complémentaires étant exclus de son domaine d’application. Le présent document est applicable à tout type de prestataire d’activités de tourisme d’aventure qui propose des produits touristiques constitués d’activités de randonnée et/ou de trekking.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 3021
First edition
2023-01
Adventure tourism — Hiking and
trekking activities — Requirements
and recommendations
Tourisme d’aventure — Activités de randonnée et de trekking —
Exigences et recommandations
Reference number
ISO 3021:2023(E)
© ISO 2023
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ISO 3021:2023(E)
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© ISO 2023
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ISO 3021:2023(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Service requirements .4
5 L e ader s h ip . 5
5.1 Leader qualifications and quantities . 5
5.2 Assistant competencies . 5
6 Participants . 6
6.1 Profile collection . 6
6.2 Information analysis . 6
7 Equipment . 7
7.1 Equipment availability and quantities . 7
7.1.1 General . 7
7.1.2 Collective equipment . 7
7.1.3 Individual equipment . 7
7.2 Equipment maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing . 8
8 Participant preparation . 9
8.1 Information for participants . 9
8.1.1 General . 9
8.1.2 Knowledge of risks and responsibilities . 9
8.2 Participant instruction . 10
9 Safety and insurance requirements .10
9.1 General . 10
9.2 Prevention of risks and safety measures . 10
9.3 Communication . 11
9.4 Specific requirements for self-guided routes . 11
10 Risk management .12
10.1 Risk analysis and assessment .12
10.2 Hazard and risk inventory .12
10.3 Risk treatment .13
10.4 Emergency preparedness and response . 13
11 Service completion .14
12 Service control .14
12.1 General requirements . 14
12.2 Records . 15
12.2.1 Maintaining a registration system . 15
12.2.2 Suggestion and critical records . 15
12.2.3 Incident recording, including accidents . . 15
12.3 Procedures . 16
12.4 Critical service review . 16
13 Social and environmental mitigation and conservation .16
14 Route classification .17
14.1 General requirements . 17
14.2 Classification criteria . 17
14.3 Classification procedures . 17
14.3.1 General . 17
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ISO 3021:2023(E)
14.3.2 Severity of the environment . 18
14.3.3 Route navigation orientation . 19
14.3.4 Terrain conditions . 19
14.3.5 Physical exertion . 20
14.4 Classification communication . 23
Annex A (informative) Hiking and trekking route classification reference table .25
Annex B (informative) Hiking and trekking route classification form .26
Annex C (informative) Example of hiking and trekking route classification .28
Bibliography .29
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ISO 3021:2023(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
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electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
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on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 228, Tourism and related services.
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ISO 3021:2023(E)
Introduction
0.1 Adventure tourism
Adventure tourism is a global industry that is growing in importance. Whether provided on a
commercial, not-for-profit or charitable basis, adventure tourism activities involve an accepted,
inherent element of risk and challenge. Taking risks brings rewards but also brings dangers. In order
to maximize the rewards, adventure tourism activity providers should operate as safely as practicable.
ISO 20611, ISO 21101, ISO 21102 and ISO 21103 provide a basis for adventure tourism activity providers
to plan, deliver and inform people about adventure tourism activities as safely as practicable.
Effective implementation of these documents will help consumers and other participants make
informed choices about activities and providers.
0.2 Adventure tourism standards
The purpose of these four documents is to establish the minimum requirements for safety management
systems and information for participants.
The documents are independent entities since they apply to different aspects of adventure tourism:
— ISO 20611: provides requirements and recommendations for good practices for sustainability
(environmental, social and economic aspects) for adventure tourism activities;
— ISO 21101: specifies how the adventure tourism activity provider manages its operations in terms
of safety;
NOTE ISO 21101 – Adventure tourism – Safety management systems – A practical guide for SMEs is a
handbook that offers step-by-step guidance and examples to help small and medium-sized adventure
tourism operators to develop, implement and continually improve a safety management system following
the requirements of ISO 21101.
— ISO 21102: specifies the minimum requirements and recommendations for competencies and the
related expected results of competencies for adventure tourism activity leaders common to any
adventure tourism activity;
— ISO 21103: specifies the minimum information that shall be communicated to participant and
potential participant before, during and after the activity.
0.3 Purpose of this document
This document specifies service requirements and route classifications in adventure tourism involving
hiking and trekking activities, with the purpose of facilitating the safe delivery of these activities.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 3021:2023(E)
Adventure tourism — Hiking and trekking activities —
Requirements and recommendations
1 Scope
This document establishes requirements for adventure tourism involving hiking and trekking activities,
relating to the safety of participants, leaders and assistants.
This document also establishes criteria relating to characteristics and difficulty level for hiking and
trekking route classification.
This document applies to hiking and trekking activities that are offered as tourism products. Tourism
product design involves a product planning and development phase that is not subject to this document.
Some tourism products include hiking and/or trekking activities together with other tourism services
(e.g. transfers, meals, lodging), but this document applies only to hiking and trekking activities, the
additional tourism services being excluded from the scope.
This document is applicable to any kind of adventure tourism activity provider that offers tourism
products consisting of hiking and/or trekking activities.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 21101, Adventure tourism — Safety management systems — Requirements
ISO 21102, Adventure tourism — Leaders — Personnel competence
ISO 21103, Adventure tourism — Information for participants
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
adventure tourism activity
adventure activity for tourism purposes that involves a degree of instruction or leadership, safety
management and an accepted inherent risk (3.15)
Note 1 to entry: An accepted inherent risk means that the participant (3.14) has a reasonable understanding
about the risk involved.
[SOURCE: ISO 21101:2014, 3.35, modified]
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ISO 3021:2023(E)
3.2
adventure tourism activity provider
individual or organization having overall responsibility for all aspects of the provision of adventure
tourism activities (3.1)
Note 1 to entry: Adventure tourism activities can be provided free of charge or in return for payment.
[SOURCE: ISO 21101:2014, 3.36]
3.3
altimetric variation
altitude variation between two waypoints
3.4
assistant
competent person who is able to assist and support the leader (3.13)
3.5
difficulty level
rating or degree of physical and psychological exertion expected to be encountered while participating
in an adventure tourism activity (3.1), based on factors such as required technical capacity, terrain,
altitude or climate
Note 1 to entry: Annex A includes criteria indicating difficult levels of the activity
3.6
exertion index in hiking and trekking
estimate of the exertion required by a person to complete a journey
3.7
emergency
serious situation requiring immediate action
[SOURCE: ISO 21101:2014, 3.43]
3.8
first aid
emergency (3.7) procedures aimed at maintaining vital functions while ensuring that the condition of
a casualty who is injured or unconscious or whose life is in danger is not aggravated, until he or she
receives more qualified assistance for further treatment
[SOURCE: ISO 21102:2020, 3.7, modified]
3.9
hiking
adventure tourism activity (3.1) where the main element is walking and is less arduous than trekking
(3.24)
3.10
interested party
person or organization that can affect, be affected by or perceive itself to be affected by a decision or
activity
3.11
itinerary
description of the component parts involved in the adventure tourism activity (3.1), listing times,
locations and activities
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ISO 3021:2023(E)
3.12
leader
competent person who takes responsibility for people, and is able to lead, guide and supervise an
assigned activity
Note 1 to entry: A leader can also be referred to as a ‘guide’, ‘monitor’ or similar.
[SOURCE: ISO 21102:2020, 3.8, modified]
3.13
participant
person taking part in the adventure tourism activity (3.1) but not a member of the leadership team
Note 1 to entry: A participant can also be referred to as a ‘client’, ‘customer’ or similar.
Note 2 to entry: A leadership team comprises several leaders (3.12).
[SOURCE: ISO 21101:2014, 3.37, modified]
3.14
risk
effect of uncertainty on objectives
Note 1 to entry: An effect is a deviation from the expected. It can be positive, negative or both, and can address,
create or result in opportunities and threats.
Note 2 to entry: Objectives can have different aspects and categories and can be applied at different levels.
Note 3 to entry: Risk is usually expressed in terms of risk sources, potential events, their consequences and
their likelihood.
[SOURCE: ISO 31000:2018, 3.1]
3.15
route
course from the beginning of the adventure tourism activity (3.1) to its end
Note 1 to entry: In some routes, the start and end points are the same.
3.16
self-rescue
specific techniques implemented by a person on his or her own to manage adverse situations without
external intervention
Note 1 to entry: In some situations, there can be more than one person engaged in self-rescue.
3.17
self-belay system
self-connection system
safety device system, connected to the harness fixing point and connected to a safety point, made of
ropes or another connection
Note 1 to entry: The self-belay system can have the capacity to absorb impact forces.
Note 2 to entry: A safety point can be a leash, a sling or a lanyard.
3.18
single-track trail
trail (3.23) where only one person or bicycle can pass at a time
3.19
stakeholder
individual or group that has an interest in any decision or activity of an organization
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ISO 3021:2023(E)
3.20
support vehicle
vehicle intended for logistical support during the course of the journey, except for the
removal of an injured person
3.21
sustainability
state of the global system, including environmental, social and economic aspects, in which the needs
of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Note 1 to entry: The environmental, social and economic aspects interact, are interdependent and are often
referred to as the three dimensions of sustainability.
Note 2 to entry: Sustainability is the goal of sustainable development.
[SOURCE: ISO Guide 82:2019, 3.1]
3.22
third-party provider
external organization or individual that provides services to the adventure tourism activity provider
(3.2)
3.23
trail
narrow road, track or pathway, usually unpaved, in natural surroundings
3.24
trekking
adventure tourism activity (3.1) in a natural environment, on trails (3.23), which is self-sufficient for
survival, includes an overnight stay and is more arduous than hiking (3.9)
Note 1 to entry: Trekking activities can include an overnight stay of one or more nights.
Note 2 to entry: Overnight stays can be in, for example, campsites or camp grounds, farms, hostels, lodges or
bivouacs.
4 Service requirements
The hiking and trekking tourism product shall be designed and provided in such a way that the safety
of the participants, leader and personnel involved in providing the product is ensured and the inherent
risk is communicated to all stakeholders or interested parties.
The adventure tourism activity provider responsible for the operation shall:
a) ensure that leaders meet the qualification requirements set out in this document;
b) maintain records of the leaders’ continual development of competencies;
c) ensure that any service contracted to third-party providers that affects the quality and safety of
the tourism product meets the requirements of this document and any others that the adventure
tourism activity provider establishes;
d) ensure there are plans and procedures for safety checks of the equipment, gear and supplies
necessary for use during the adventure tourism activities; these safety checks shall be conducted
prior to the activities and the results recorded and made available for review;
e) adhere to the existing stipulations of use for the visited environment;
f) adopt the use plans or ecological area plans available when the attraction is in a conservation area
or in an area with some environmental restrictions;
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ISO 3021:2023(E)
g) introduce measures to implement and improve hygiene care, to prevent contamination to workers,
participants and the visited communities and to enhance health conditions in the adventure
tourism destination;
h) ensure that weather forecasts and any hazardous conditions are taken into account before starting
the activities.
It is important to monitor available information from pertinent institutions regarding hazard conditions
(see 10.1).
According to the characteristics of the place of operation and the offered tourism product, the
establishment of a maximum number of participants per activity shall be considered. When planning
and operating the hiking and trekking activities, the organization shall adopt responsible environmental
and social practices, such as the recommendations for conscious conduct in a natural environment (see
ISO 20611). The adventure tourism activity provider shall consider official health recommendations
regarding sanitary measures at the time to define a safe number of participants.
When planning the hiking and trekking product, the organization shall consider the carrying capacity
of the tourist attraction where the activity takes place. This can include reduction of the number of
participants, considering the characteristics of each specific route, defining protocols for the flow path
of participants and the use of common spaces.
For tourism products with hiking and trekking activities, the minimum age of the participants is
determined by regulatory authorities. If the adventure tourism activity provider offers tourism
products to children under the minimum age or to participants with disabilities, this product shall be
subject to planning that considers the characteristics, procedures and equipment necessary to ensure
the safety of those specific participants. These products can require professionals, equipment and
specific conditions other than those provided in this document.
The measures adopted shall be validated, technically justified and documented.
The route shall have been previously established and the itinerary shall be documented.
Hiking or trekking routes should be classified. Classification shall be in accordance with Clause 14
and shall be known to the leader, participants (and assistants, if applicable) and other stakeholders or
interested parties involved in the operation.
5 Leadership
5.1 Leader qualifications and quantities
The operating team, except in the case of self-guided routes, which are dealt with in 9.3, shall be
composed of leaders who meet the requirements of ISO 21102.
The hiking or trekking adventure tourism activity provider shall determine the minimum number of
leaders and assistants to ensure the safety of the group. These quantities of assistants (if applicable),
participants and leaders shall be documented, based on the implementation of ISO 21101.
Environmental concerns, including sanitary considerations, can require reducing the maximum number
of participants per group. If they exist, minimum impact practices should be taken into account.
5.2 Assistant competencies
The assistant shall have knowledge in order to act as support to the leader. At a minimum, this shall
include knowledge of the region, main route and alternative routes.
The assistant shall be able to:
a) instruct participants about hiking or trekking techniques and the use of equipment;
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ISO 3021:2023(E)
b) ensure the smooth progress, pace and cohesion of the group, including controlling participant well-
being;
c) support the leader in emergency situations;
d) use different communication systems [e.g. satellite phones, global positioning system (GPS), radio];
e) instruct participants about technical, hygiene and sanitary measures to improve safety throughout
all operations.
6 Participants
6.1 Profile collection
The adventure tourism activity provider shall obtain at least the following information from each
participant:
a) name;
b) telephone number;
c) document number (ID or passport);
d) emergency contact;
e) specific health or medical conditions,
...
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