Industry-wide collaboration has revealed new, updated safety standards and toolkits as part of a broader vision to position the region as the ultimate adventure destination.
SATSA has launched a new toolkit and five category-specific excellent practice codes to mark another milestone in the industry's journey towards global best practices and enhanced safety standards.
“SATSA's first set of guidelines was released in 2023,” says Hannelie Du Toit, Satsa COO. “It introduced a new level of compliance in a sector that is barely regulated at the time. Today's launch provides more adventure operators with the tools they need to meet international safety standards.
The new resource, first published at African Travel Indava 2025, covers five important categories live on the SATSA website.
Aerial non-flying activities (including ziplines, rope courses, canopy tours, suspension bridges) Wheelbase activities (including mountain biking, BMX, skateboarding, ATV, quad bikes, off-road motorcycles, etc.) Boat-based activities (including whale watching, shark cage diving, and other Marine-based activities) Padding and rafting activities (overwater, water breeding canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding) Hiking and trekking activities (from short day walks to several day expeditions)
These documents accept public comments and aim to induce dialogue, encourage industry input, and ensure broad ownership of standards that define the future of adventure tourism in South Africa.
Risk, Safety and Incident Management Toolkit has also been added to expand the weapons of existing resources. Currently, the resource library consists of a self-regulation roadmap, a general good practice guide and checklist, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and participant care.
First Self-Assessment Tools and Updated Resources
In another exciting development, SATSA introduced a self-assessment tool for South African adventure operators. Designed to measure consistency with global best practices, this tool is freely available. It provides operators with detailed benchmarks of operations in key areas, including safety, sustainability and operational excellence.
Operators who complete the assessment will also receive customized feedback, actionable tips, and links to additional resources.
In line with this, all SATSA Adventure Tourism resources have been reviewed and updated to reflect current international standards and evolving market demand. The full scope and self-assessment tools in the toolkit are accessible through the SATSA website.
“What's really exciting is the level of input and buy-in in the industry. From the start of 2023, industry experts have really leaned in to provide expertise and support, including the teams of Dirty Boots, Satib Insurance Brokers and Nick Shaw, Chair in Satsa's Adventure Chapter,” says Du Toit.
As Du Toit explains, it is its fluid and collaborative nature that makes the approach unique. The toolkit includes publication and review dates, allowing honest feedback, additional input and continuous updates as standards evolve and technological advances. This framework actively encourages industry feedback and creates living documents that grow with the industry.
“The new document is in line with international best practices that incorporate elements from the ISO standards, European standards, the Australian framework and the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) Travel Life Program,” said Nick Shaw, Chairman of Adventure Chapter.
Economic impact across all regions
Adventure tourism plays an important role in South Africa's broader tourism strategy, particularly in dealing with geographical diversity, job creation, youth development and tourism prosperity.
Traditional tourist hotspots like Cape Town and Kruger National Park have recovered strongly after the pandemic, but areas like Eastern Cape, which are highly likely to be an adventure destination, are far behind.
“There's a reason this initiative is called '101 Adventures,'' said David Frost, CEO of Satsa.
Next Steps
In addition to launching the '101 Adventures Southern Africa' toolkit and self-assessment tool, SATSA is conducting a comprehensive Adventure Tourism Industry Survey to better understand sector size, economic contributions and employment statistics. All adventure tourism operators are encouraged to participate by completing the survey here.
The webinar, scheduled for May 28th, will guide operators through toolkits, self-assessment processes, and certification techniques. A regular quarterly webinar will be followed, providing continuous support and updates.
“The initiative is to position South Africa as the best global adventure destination,” Frost says. “We have an industry. Now we're creating a framework to spread tourism benefits across every corner of the region.”
