ABNT NBR ISO 21101: what it is and why it matters in adventure tourism

Anyone going rafting, zip lining or on any adventure tour wants, above all, to come home with good stories and safely. That is what ABNT NBR ISO 21101is for: the standard that organizes safety at adventure tourism companies. In this post we explain what it is, what it requires and how it shows up in a tour day to day.

What ABNT NBR ISO 21101 is

ISO 21101 is an international standard that sets the requirements for a Safety Management System for adventure tourism. In Brazil, it is published by ABNT (the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards) as ABNT NBR ISO 21101.

It is not a manual for one specific activity. It is a way of organizing the company so that safety is planned, controlled and continually improved in every activity it offers.

What the standard requires of the operator

• Safety policy: the company makes clear commitments to the safety of customers and staff.
• Risk management: identify the hazards of each activity, assess the risks and define controls.
• Competent team: guides trained and prepared for their role and for emergencies.
• Customer information: explain before the activity what will happen, the precautions and the restrictions.
• Emergency preparedness: defined and tested plans and procedures.
• Records and continual improvement: record incidents, analyze causes and improve.

How it shows up on your tour

For customers, the standard shows up in details that make a difference: the safety talk before getting into the boat, equipment in good condition and well adjusted, guides who know the river, and the organized way everything happens, from reception to the end of the activity.

Why choose an operator that follows ABNT NBR ISO 21101

Adventure tourism involves risks, and that is part of the thrill. What differs is how the company deals with them. An operator that follows ABNT NBR ISO 21101 works with defined processes instead of relying only on each guide's experience.

At Brotas Rafting, we keep a Safety Management System implemented in accordance with ABNT NBR ISO 21101. See our Safety Policy and the post Is rafting safe?.

Enjoy the adventure with peace of mind

Discover Rafting in Brotas, o Mini Rafting, o Pet Rafting e o Night Rafting. Any questions? talk to us on WhatsApp (opens in a new tab).

About the author: Daniel Madureira is an Engineer with postgraduate degrees in Safety, Tourism Studies, Artificial Intelligence and the Environment, and an ABNT Consultant and Auditor. He works with Safety Management Systems in adventure tourism in accordance with ABNT NBR ISO 21101.