Viristar’s Director, Jeff Baierlein, recently spoke at a panel discussion at the inaugural Fujairah International Conference of Adventure Tourism, organised by Fujairah Adventures and held in Fujairah, UAE. The panel, titled “Safety & Standards: Pioneering Global Best Practices,” explored the role of safety in the sustainable growth of adventure tourism.
The conference, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of the Emirate of Fujairah, was a significant milestone as the UAE’s first international gathering dedicated to adventure tourism. Organized in collaboration with UN Tourism, the United Nations specialized agency for responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism, the event attracted hundreds of delegates from around the world, including tourism professionals, policymakers, and other experts in the industry.
Alongside Jeff, the panel featured distinguished industry leaders including Fiona Ngesa, Head of Business Development at the Kenya Tourism Board; Henry Kimambo, Vice Chairman of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO); and Steve Long, President of the UIAA Mountaineering Commission Training Panel. Together, they discussed the role of safety standards and global regulations in shaping adventure tourism.
Jeff shared his expertise on effective adventure tourism safety practices and risk management strategies, emphasizing how robust safety standards, appropriate government regulation, and a well-developed set of national governing bodies for adventure activities can improve safety outcomes and advance the adventure travel sector. He highlighted how voluntary and compulsory adventure safety standards not only help ensure operators meet minimum safety requirements but also play a crucial role in strengthening the sector’s reputation and supporting its long-term sustainability.
Viristar’s involvement in the event provided an opportunity to engage in international dialogue around safety standards in adventure tourism. The discussions throughout the conference offered valuable perspectives that may help inform future approaches to risk management and responsible tourism within the industry.
