Our Guiding Principles

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Travel Guide Standard

Core Responsibilities

Safety

There are inherent risks in adventure travel. Adventure travel guides must be trained to minimize risks and ensure safety to participants, local partners and communities. In addition, adventure travel guides must also be trained in appropriate First Aid and incident response protocol in accordance with employer, activity and destination requirement the company or company for market research and other information.

Sustainability

Adventure travel depends upon vibrant, resilient communities, ecosystems and landscapes. Adventure travel participants expect to participate in adventure travel activities in places that are protected from negative social and environmental impacts and that their contributions to the local economy enhance that goal. As a result, adventure travel guides play a fundamental role in safeguarding the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the communities and ecosystems where guiding and related adventure activities take place. corporate financial consulting services to clients, such as accounting, tax, etc.

Quality & Meaning

Travel can impact destinations in both positive and negative ways. While tourism makes important contributions to local economies, the increasing threats and impacts of climate change have called into question the very act of traveling for recreation. At the same time, participants’ expectations of quality services and experiences have been elevated due in part to the availability of on-line information about potential adventure activities and participant review systems. These customer service considerations in adventure travel have expanded the responsibilities of guides and their role in meeting the expectations of participants.

The Detail

To fulfill these three core responsibilities, an adventure travel guide must possess specific skills and qualifications. Adventure travel is extremely diverse in terms of geography, cultural context and types of activities. The following five competencies have been identified by guides and adventure travel experts around the world and adopted by Rogue Sports Travel as essential for adventure travel guides regardless of geography or activities:

Sustainability
Technical Skills
Safety and Risk Management
Customer Service and Group Management
Natural and Cultural History Interpretation

This process describes and provides examples to illustrate each of these five core competencies. In an effort to bring together the diverse competencies of our adventure travel guides into one integrated standard. This standard expands upon the foundation of Adventure Travel Guide Standards (ATGS) and includes updated information regarding biosecurity protocols and sustainability practices, among others. The ATGS is a tool and resource to be used by purple Dog guides, the wider adventure travel business and other entities concerned with the quality and sustainability of guiding services. The ATGS is not enforced or regulated in any way by the ATGS Governance Board, the Adventure Travel Trade Association or any other organisation. Governments, destination managers, and company owners may refer to the ATGS when evaluating the quality and performance of their own guides and determining appropriate training and professional development programs. Guide associations and governments may choose to create their own regulations based upon the ATGS; this document is not intended, nor should be used, to supersede local or national regulations. Adventure travel is clearly a sector of growing importance for Purple Dog Company.com in a rapidly changing world where tourism is being called into question. We acknowledge the intersection of guides and participants engaged in adventure activities in a context of increasing risks from climate change, globalised health risks pandemics, and unpredictable social conditions require highly qualified adventure travel guides. This is the ultimate goal of this standard. There are inherent risks in adventure travel. We accept our adventure travel guides must be trained to minimize risks and ensure safety to participants, local partners and communities. In addition, our adventure travel guides must also be trained in appropriate First Aid and incident response protocol in accordance with employer, activity and destination requirements. Travel can impact destinations in both positive and negative ways. While tourism makes important contributions to local economies, the increasing threats and impacts of climate change have called into question the very act of traveling for recreation. We are moving into an era where to travel just for fun is viewed as insufficient and therefore traveling must seek a higher purpose. At the same time, participants’ expectations of quality services and experiences have been elevated due in part to the availability of online information about potential adventure activities and participant review systems. These customer service considerations in adventure travel combined with the increased emphasis on sharing meaningful experiences have expanded the responsibilities of us as a business providing guides and their role in meeting the expectations of participants.

Adventure travel guides shall possess multiple competencies in both activity specific and universal technical skills related to leading adventure activities in diverse environments. The specific competencies and skills a guide should obtain will vary depending on the activities and the conditions a guide guides in. A number of training and certification standards and protocols exist for some adventure activities, however, not all activities or universal technical skills have defined protocol or certifications. It is ultimately up to the guide to be aware of what protocols exist and in their absence, or when they are not applicable to local conditions, to develop and document protocols. This section of the Adventure Travel Guide Standard provides guidance on both the activity specific and universal technical competencies that adventure travel guides should possess as well as references on where to pursue some of the competency certification, when required and/or available to guides. Because of the wide range of activities adventure travel guides take part in, it is impossible to be inclusive of all technical aspects a guide will need competency in. It is the responsibility of adventure travel guides to recognise the limitations of their technical skills and the activities that they lead and refrain from guiding outside of their abilities.

Technical Competency and First Aid Definitions

a. Activity specific technical skills refers to abilities that adventure travel guides shall possess in order to safely and professionally carry out a specific adventure activity with participants, fellow guides, staff and local community members. Example: specific training for white water rafting, skiing, diving or rock climbing.

b. Universal technical skills refers to competencies that all adventure travel guides shall possess, regardless of the location and the activity they are leading. The common reference for companies and governments is ISO 21102 [1] which is also useful for guides. The ATGS was created specifically for adventure travel guides.

c. First Aid is the first and immediate assistance given to any person suffering from either a minor or serious illness or injury, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, or to promote recovery. The type of First Aid provided for participants varies greatly among adventure activities and the availability of advanced medical care. Guides should be up-todate and, when required, appropriately certified in First Aid and/or Wilderness Medicine protocols based upon the activities and locations they guide in.

Technical Skills and First Aid Competencies: Activity Specific

1. Adventure travel guides shall possess adequate and current activity-specific technical skills for the adventure activities they lead. a. Adventure travel guides shall possess activity-specific technical skills, in order to carry out adventure activities with participants. Risk Inventory, Analysis and Treatment (RIAT) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Local protocols and required certifications

b. Adventure travel guides shall undertake local, current, activity-specific certifications where available.

c. Due to the risks associated with adventure activities, it is important for the safety of participants, operators, and destinations that guides possess technical competency. In cases where the activity is regulated by a local, national or global governing body, guides shall ensure competency through activity-specific certification.

2. Adventure travel guides shall possess understanding of and ability to explain, follow and enforce safety protocols - see also Safety and Risk Management Ensuring the safety of all participants during adventure activities is a key responsibility of adventure travel guides. Each adventure activity has its own risks and associated safety protocols and guides greatly reduce the chances of accidents by knowing and following safety protocols and making sure participants are informed about these protocols as well.

a. Adventure travel guides shall observe safety protocols specific to the location, company and activities. These procedures and reports can include but are not limited to:

Risk Inventory, Analysis and Treatment (RIAT)
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
Local protocols and required certifications

b. Adventure travel guides shall be prepared physically and emotionally to lead adventure activity

c. Adventure travel guides shall be informed and aware of the risks in the environments and activities they lead, prepared to assume leadership and respond to stress and hazards.

d. Adventure travel guides shall possess and execute sound and fair judgment when considering program changes, need for assistance or cancellation of activities.

e. Adventure travel guides shall know and follow the protocols that ensure the greatest protection of themselves, participants and local communities, as dictated by law, adventure activity certification or local practices.

3. Adventure travel guides shall possess the authority and ability to use and/or operate activity related equipment and vehicles during adventure activities.

Using technical and safety equipment and motorised vehicles is part of an adventure travel guides’ responsibilities. Many adventure activities use specific equipment and can also require travel to remote areas where knowledge of vehicle operation and repair is essential. Competence in the use and maintenance of equipment and vehicles instills confidence in participants, decreases risks and potential damage to the environment and to the equipment and vehicles themselves.

a. Adventure travel guides shall possess current training and licenses (if applicable) specific to the operation of equipment and vehicles. Certifications and licenses may be determined by local laws, standards or company protocol.

b. Adventure travel guides shall possess the skills for maintaining equipment for safe use and reporting evidence of defects and arranging for repairs and replacements. Technical Skills and First Aid Competencies: Universal Skills Universal Technical skills are those that apply in all adventure travel guiding regardless of location or the activity.

4. Adventure travel guides shall possess appropriate First Aid and Wilderness Medicine training and certification based upon international protocol The often-remote nature of adventure travel trips combined with the presence of various degrees of physical activity makes it important that adventure travel guides are trained in First Aid and Wilderness Medicine competencies.

a. Recognising that training and certification requirements will vary by region, adventure activity and local laws and customs, adventure travel guides shall possess a First Aid certification based on a recognised protocol.

b. Protocols: To date, the accepted protocol is that of the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) and the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). Other standards exist but must align with these protocols. For remote care refer to WMS protocols For ‘Standard’ first aid refers to ILCOR standards for your region.

5. Adventure travel guides shall possess orienteering and navigation skills according to activity An adventure travel guide shall possess skills to understand and interpret the natural and geographic characteristics of the locations where adventure activities take place. Furthermore, guides shall be skilled at using navigation tools and technologies.

a. Adventure travel guides shall possess and apply skills in route finding and navigation. Example: Guides can orient maps and charts, understand scale, legends, grid references and/or latitude and longitude. Guides can identify features, read contour lines, take and follow a compass bearing, estimate distance traveled and identify a safe, practical route.

b. Adventure travel guides shall be able to use maps, charts and other materials with participants to provide interpretation of the natural and cultural landscapes where adventure activities take place.

6. Adventure travel guides shall possess knowledge of and ability to monitor weather and climate conditions Adventure travel guides shall possess the skills for monitoring and interpreting weather conditions. Knowledge, such as common weather patterns and the ability for modifying adventure activities in accordance with weather conditions is essential to the role of providing safe and satisfying adventure activities.

a. Adventure travel guides shall demonstrate knowledge of sources of information about weather conditions (internet, radio, locals, observations) and have ability to predict likely weather conditions. Example: High mountain climbing and trekking guides demonstrate competency by checking local and regional weather prior and during climbing activities and monitoring wind and cloud conditions.

b. Adventure travel guides shall be aware of changing weather patterns due to climate change and how these changes will impact adventure activities.

Risk is a central component of adventure travel. Not only are adventure travel activities often of higher risk due to the settings and skills requirement, but also participants in adventure travel deliberately seek out risk as a part of their experience. This places adventure travel guides in a unique position as they purposefully engage in risky activities. While adventure activities vary greatly in risk level, adventure travel companies and guides share the responsibility to ensure safe operation of adventure activities. Guides are ultimately those who must directly monitor and respond to program execution and are responsible for managing safety in the field. Safety and risk management in adventure travel requires a multi-tiered strategy involving outfitters, the environment, the local community, the activity, the guides and the activity participants.

ISO 21101 Adventure Travel - Safety Management Systems

Requirements is an important reference for adventure travel guides seeking to strengthen approaches to the implementation and maintenance of safety management systems. This document outlines the global consensus on Safety and Risk Management for Adventure Travel.

Safety and Risk Management Definition

Safety and risk management in adventure travel refers to the process of identifying and preparing for safety and risks in adventure activities and cultural and physical environments and applying appropriate preventative measures and response procedures in the event of injury, illness or fatality.

Safety and Risk Management Competencies

1. Adventure travel guides shall be aware of best practice to ensure the safety of all participants during adventure activities.

a. Adventure travel guides shall be trained in best practice for the activity they are leading and should be involved, and participate, in relevant professional member associations related to the activity they guide to stay abreast of procedural updates

b. Adventure travel guides shall keep updated information about the equipment they are using as well as the location they are taking their participants. Adventure activity safety procedures and equipment evolve constantly, and guides should engage and remain current on the updates from the technical communities that govern protocol.

2. Adventure travel guides shall be prepared for predictable and unpredictable risk as well as objective and subjective risks

a. Leading participants on adventure travel activities requires dynamic risk management practices for both predictable factors, such as those associated with equipment and logistics as well as unpredictable factors, such as the expertise of participants and the weather conditions.

b. Risks can be objective, such as environmental hazards, or subjective, such as participant perception of risks. Often, the risk of an activity is more complicated than participants are prepared for or external conditions change unexpectedly.

c. Guides should be prepared to support participants who are hesitant to proceed and help them reconsider their perception of risk to more accurately reflect the actual risk.

d. As Adventure Travel frequently takes place in natural or remote areas, guides should have a clear channel of communication with emergency response as well as a trusted source to check updates on the local conditions and any restrictions that may arise.

3. Adventure travel guides shall be trained in and follow a safety and risk management system.

a. Local conditions and the risks of adventure activities will greatly inform safety and risk management protocols used by guides and their participants. ISO 21101 provides guidance on the use of a Safety Management System (SMS).

b. In cases where an adventure travel operator uses an SMS, guides shall be trained accordingly. It is very important for all people involved in the activity to use the same shared protocols for operation and action plan in case of an accident.

c. In case the guide works on their own or the operator does not operate a Safety Management System, the guide shall refer to the best practices described in the ISO 21101 and apply this to their independent guiding competencies.

4. Adventure travel guides shall use the 3-step Risk Assessment methodology called RIAT (Risk Inventory, Analysis and Treatment):

Step 1: Risk inventory - Identify and list risks associated with the adventure activity
Step 2: - Risk analysis - Analyze both the likelihood and the consequences of each risk in the inventory. Determine which risks are acceptable versus those that are not. This level of acceptance may vary from activity, destination, season or company.
Step 3: Risk treatment - Risks that are not acceptable have to be treated. This treatment happens through providing training for guides, safety briefings to participants, adequate gear and communication throughout the activity. This treatment reduces the initial risk analysis to an acceptable level.

5. Adventure travel guides shall be knowledgeable about company specific protocol

a. Be familiar with and understand the risks of the adventure travel activities and itineraries they lead and be prepared for hazardous conditions,

b. Be aware of and trained in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the company where they work and if the outfitter does not use one, be an active force to create one.

c. Be aware of and trained in the use of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) or Emergency Response Plan (ERP).

d. Submit a trip report (TRP) after each trip and identify any nonconformity with procedures in an Incident & Accident Report (IAR).

e. These IAR’s may result in changes to SOP and/or EAP protocols. Guides shall ensure they are up to date with any changes

6. Adventure travel guides shall have the leadership and the authority to respond to safety risks and emergency response

a. Guides shall be physically and emotionally prepared to carry out emergency response when needed in accordance with governing protocols.

b. Guides shall use informed and effective decision-making in a manner that results in the desired outcome and inspires confidence in others.

c. Guides should have the judgment and initiative to know when to cancel activities, change the program, or seek for assistance. .

d. Guides shall know how to avoid, evaluate and care for medical problems in adventure travel settings. (see Technical Skills & First Aid competency)

7. Adventure travel guides shall be informed of, trained in and able to communicate and enforce health and sanitary protocols As with all risks associated with travel, the risk of disease and illness can be managed and minimised through developing and following appropriate protocol.

a. Guides shall follow a dynamic risk assessment approach, possibly needing to redesign the experience to help protect participants, staff and the general community when dealing with a disease outbreak.

b. Guides shall follow any required screening protocol to prevent the spread of communicable diseases or illnesses. Protocol should apply to all participants, staff and guides.

c. In the event a participant is showing symptoms of a communicable disease or illness, guides shall be prepared to follow company protocol or government requirements for removing the participant from the tour.

Customer service is the act of taking care of a participant’s needs by delivering professional, helpful, high quality service and assistance before, during, and after the experience. Adventure travel guides are a part of the tourism service sector and provide services that often go beyond those provided by educators or facilitators of adventure activities. A guide’s empathy, patience, flexibility, creativity and resourcefulness will help participants connect with places and people, improving their travel experience and contributing to the positive impacts on all stakeholders. Customer service in an adventure guiding situation differs from a classic hospitality service situation, such as a restaurant or hotel. Customer service for an adventure travel guide is complicated due to the frequent objective of adventure trips to push participants outside of their comfort zone - mentally, physically or culturally. Furthermore, the adventure travel guide must seek equilibrium between the crucial and seemingly competing aspects of providing great customer service while also keeping our participants, communities and environment safe.

A guide thus has to balance safety, sustainability, and both individual and group needs, including varying physical abilities and skill levels, within the service philosophy that “the customer is always right.” While we want our participants to feel that their needs are being met and that they are being well taken care of, in actuality, if the “customer is always right”, our participants might return with injuries or frustrated by not having been able to perform well during the adventure. High-quality and detail-oriented customer service and group management are key functions of adventure travel companies and adventure travel guides. Adventure participants are as diverse as the adventures they seek and guides are required to navigate a wide range of needs, expectations and ability levels while adhering to and modeling sustainable best practices, taking into account safety and risk management protocols and providing interpretation of natural and cultural landscapes.

The challenge with this competency is, unlike other competencies such as Technical Skills & First Aid, there are very few formal customer service protocols for adventure travel, and no universal certification program for adventure travel guides. Each company and guide must develop training that takes into account the concepts outlined in this competency as well as specific needs for the unique settings where guides provide service. Competent adventure travel guides must prepare for and respond to a wide range of customer service requirements before, during and after adventure activities. It is of primary importance that participants feel safe, included, comfortable with expressing both fears and joy and that their experience has been fulfilling and worth the investment of time and money. Providing excellence in customer service and group management translates into satisfied participants, positive reviews and feedback for guides and companies.

Customer Service and Group Management Definitions

Customer service is a multi-faceted aspect of a participant’s adventure travel experience. It involves sensory, emotional, and cognitive reactions created by participants prior to, during and after their experience. When all aspects of the participants’ experience are positive, these reactions can elevate engagement, motivation, loyalty and the improved reputation of the tour operator. Colin Shaw (2007) stresses the importance of emotions in customer experience. “A customer experience is about a number of things. It is about a physical customer experience….. Critically it is also about emotions - how a customer feels. Our research shows that 50% of a customer experience is about emotions”

Group management refers to managing relationships among and between participants and local communities and landscapes such that the spirit and actions of adventure activity participants and providers is positive and affirming and avoids negative interactions and impacts on people and the environment.

“In the case of nature-based tourists, the attributes that affect visitor satisfaction…... include communication, interpretation, knowledge, minimal impact messages, a sense of authenticity, quality customer service, emphasis on learning, with the group, interesting commentary, organisation, group management, activity skills and assistance of visitors”

Customer Service and Group Management Competencies

1. Adventure travel guides shall be skilled verbal and non-verbal communicators

a. Adventure travel guides are responsible for communicating safety, sustainability and logistics information to participants. This information is usually provided during an introductory briefing, however this communication is not limited to formal settings. Information will need to be reinforced during adventure activities using techniques that acknowledge cultural and linguistic diversity, such as props and other visual materials.

b. It is important for all participants to fully understand the concepts presented and aligned with your company’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and its Safety Management System, outlined in greater detail under the Safety and Risk Management Competency.

c. Non-verbal communication is also a key skill. Being able to “read” participants’ facial and body language is essential when preparing for and undertaking adventure activities and for diagnosing health concerns.

d. Finally, communication techniques are also essential for conveying content and concepts as outlined in the Natural and Cultural History Competency. For many adventure participants, the stories about the place where adventure activities take place are as important as the activity itself and guides should strive to learn and share them with participants in an engaging, participatory manner.

2. Adventure travel guides shall strive to learn the interests, expectations and varying abilities of their participants and personalise their tours to meet those interests a. Guides shall listen to participants in order to understand their expectations of the experience, both at the start and throughout the adventure activity. Guides shall strive to exceed participants’ expectations and shall consider what is important to each participant within a group experience.

3. Adventure travel guides shall employ management techniques that maximise quality and consistency of service and experience for all participants a. Adventure travel guides often work with groups of participants who do not know each other before joining the adventure activities. How individuals are treated in a one-on-one setting is not the same as how they are treated in a group setting, where needs for the whole group might conflict with those of individuals. The art of group management is to make these decisions without having to overtly deny a group member in favour or other members.

4. Adventure travel guides shall proactively identify issues and conflicts and respond to complaints through mediation, solutions or changes to programs and by providing aftercare and opportunities for feedback.

a. Adventure travel guides strive to solicit and respond to recommendations, special requests and complaints in a constructive, balanced and complete manner, through listening, analysis, discussion and solution identification and implementation. Conditions involving complaints or conflict should be resolved and monitored in the moment and throughout the activity by addressing the participant’s concerns directly. If an issue cannot be resolved immediately, inform the participant how and when you will be able to address the issue for them.

5. Adventure travel guides shall manage the compounding needs of participants as outlined in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs - Basic, Safety, Psychological and Self Actualisation needs

a. Truly transformational and life changing travel results in self actualisation and is the peak of self transcendence. You cannot reach the highest levels without first obtaining the lower levels. Participants will not leave transformed and inspired to help others if they were hungry and cold, or if they did not feel welcomed by the group. Guides often confuse “problem” or “challenging” participants with those who just haven’t had their lower level needs met.

6. Additional customer service considerations exist in adventure travel settings, and must be incorporated into guide practices

a. During adventure activities, guides have the added responsibility to monitor the physical health and overall well-being of all participants, including hydration and appetite, body temperature and overall comfort, mood and spirit.

b. A guide is often expected to establish and manage contacts and interactions with external parties such as local tour guides, drivers, and other suppliers. These relationships require customer service as well, and must be balanced with the priority of the participant.

Nowhere Is Off Limits

Our philosophy is to facilitate the most challenging of adventures, sporting events and expeditions for our customers. Nothing is off limits when it comes to planning and offering a viable option to ANY request. The only aspect that compromises this is the weather, but even then, we will have a plan to mitigate these issues.

Our Point Of Difference

Our UK Guide Standards

Mountain Guides come in many shapes and sizes – the one thing they have in common is their passion for the mountains. Wherever they live and work, they will have a mass of experience, from rock climbing to mountaineering and skiing all over the Alps, and experience of difficult climbs and remote mountains in other ranges around the world.

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Our Financial Promise

We understand more than most the need for flexibility when booking your trip. If an unexpected life change has occurred such as a new baby, injuries or indeed a pandemic, we are insistent on making sure you have the flexibility to make date changes to your trip without extra admin fees or long-winded T's & C's hassle. A simple call can fix the issue.

Integrity to our team means that we live in accordance with our deepest values. It means that we are honest with everyone, and we always keep our word. It's a trait that is highly valued, especially in our leaders. We operate with Integrity from the outset and seek no compromise in that process. As a business we sure won't hide from the facts or the problems.

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Integrity Is Everything To Us

Foreign Travel Advice

We work closely with the UK Governments Foreign and Commonwealth Office to source the latest travel advice for all our customers. Get advice about travelling abroad, including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings. See their website for the latest

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Flights, Insurance & Experience

Rogue Sports Travel are an adventure and In-country specialist for the destinations we operate in. We are not specialists in air ticketing and as a small specialist operator we cannot compete with large companies for flights, so we instead, we send you to them. All out travellers must demonstrate they have appropriate insurance cover.

If Mt Everest, Machu Picchu or Kilimanjaro is on your hit-list, download the Rogue Sports Travel Trekking guides to inform you of the detail behind the scenes.

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Our Guiding Principles

Travel Guide Standard

Core Responsibilities

The Detail

Nowhere Is Off Limits

Our Point Of Difference

Alternate Rogue Adventures

The Namibia Experience

The Grand Canyon Trek

the mighty Atacama

Subscribe Form

General Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Website Terms

Responsible Travel

Guide Standards

Our Guiding Principles

Travel Guide Standard

Core Responsibilities

The Detail

​

Nowhere Is Off Limits

Our Point Of Difference

Alternate Rogue Adventures

The Namibia Experience

The Grand Canyon Trek

the mighty Atacama

Subscribe Form

General Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Website Terms

Responsible Travel

Guide Standards