Adventure tourism safety audits 'could hurt businesses'

The Government's 'heavy-handed' approach to adventure tourism through a new audit and certification scheme could inhibit innovation and hurt small businesses, local operators say.

Prime Minister John Key has said the New Zealand Adventure Activities Certification Scheme was a response to the 37 deaths in adventure tourism since 2009.

Operators were recently granted a short extension to a deadline requiring them to be registered under the Adventure Activities Regulations. They now have until December 1 to complete the final stages of their audit and become certified.

Lead auditor Mark Woods from Rotorua-based Peak Outdoor Safety and Emergency Management said regulation was needed in adventure tourism, but the high-cost audit might drive small businesses from the industry.

"It is hard for little companies to survive. Another layer of compliance means another layer of cost, but it makes it a safer industry.

"I have spoken to some people who say they will stop running." Head of department tourism and hospitality at Waiariki Institute of Technology Bart Vosse, has also been involved in the audit process.

"It's a high-risk industry and with high risks we have to make sure there are solid processes for our reputation as a country."

Mr Woods said the older auditing systems worked well.

"We have had an audited system for five to 10 years now, and it had worked really well. We are one of the top countries in the world for white water rafting, but it's really expensive. White water rafting is already audited by Maritime NZ so many businesses are getting doubly audited," he said.

Rotorua Adventures director Justin Hutton said there were good things to come from the audit, but it was not needed for his business.

"I can't think of anything that is going to make our operation safer. But I hope it does identify people in industry and bring them up, or else it has been a waste of money." Multi-Day Adventures owner Tak Mutu, who had spent more than $10,000 on the process, felt the new audit was not necessary.

"The process isn't necessary in my eyes. It's the old saying, 'if it ain't broke, why fix it?'

"We are by far and large the safest country in the world. It [the new certification scheme] should eliminate any cowboys from the industry but what it's really done is hurt small businesses. It's cutting out small operators who won't be able to afford the costs.

"It's definitely heavy-handed. I think it will stunt our tourism; now things will be pretty hard to break in to. Innovation will suffer if you have high regulation."