A presentation mad during a World Parks Congress event "Welcome Visitors: Making Tourism Work for Protected Areas and Sustainable Development: Part 1 – Critical Success Factors" that took place on 17 November 2014 in Sydney, Australia. Supported by the IUCN WCPA Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group and UNDP

1. The international standardization process
Tourist service provided by NPA
Clelia Ma. Lopez

2. Overview
Visiting natural protected areas is a significant
element in the culture of modern society.
In order to address the challenge of tourism in
protected areas, ISO is providing an
international standard.

3. International standardization process
Technical Committee
established in 2005.
To provide tourism
buyers, providers and
consumers with criteria
to take informed
decisions.
National Members:
Participant or observer
Secretariat

4. Working group
Proposal: Costa Rica, 2008
Experts provide technical advice.
ISO members organize
national input taking into
account all relevant interests
at national level.
Each country develops
consultation mechanisms
through .
Convenorship – project
management: Argentina

5. International standardization process
Balloting and meetings

6. International standard
A normative document, developed according to
consensus procedures, which has been approved by
the ISO membership and P-members of the
responsible committee in accordance with ISO
Directives as a draft International Standard and which
has been published by the ISO Central Secretariat.
Not mandatory.
ISO 18065
Requirements for tourist services provided directly by
Natural Protected Areas Authorities in order to satisfy
visitors whilst giving priority to the NPA conservation
objectives excluding the marine protected areas.

7. ISO 18065 Index
Scope
Terms and definitions
Approaches for public use
Services provision
Access and reception
Information
Signposting
Environmental education and interpretation
Complaints handling
Facilities
Visitor centre
Safety
Waste management, cleaning and maintenance
Annex A (informative) ACCESSIBILITY
Annex B (informative) CONSUMERS' RIGHTS

8. An inspiring solution?
Innovative and effective
Expected benefits of ISO 18065:
• Increase costumer confidence
• Support ethical tourism and “tourism for all”
• Help developing countries to promote themselves
• Transfer knowledge and best practice
• Improve visitor satisfaction, attract and reassure tourists
Evidence of implementation and impact
• Once published, this standard will help ensure consistent level of service
from NPA (publicly or privately managed, managed by the community or
by NGO or by a mixture of some or all of these possibilities).

9. What makes it work?
Components that lead to success
First international standard to manage tourist activities in NPA appropriately,
allowing visitors to experience the natural environment and to learn about
the importance of conservation at the same time.
Prestige and recognition: ISO is the world's largest developer of international
standards.
Enabling factors:
– Active participation: The voice of experts has been taken into account.
– International cooperation to build consensus.
– International experience (including developing and developed countries).