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The global Code
of Ethic for Tourism sets a frame of reference for the responsible and sustainable
development of world tourism at the dawn of the new millennium. It draws inspiration
from many similar declarations and industry codes that have come before and
it adds new thinking that reflects our changing society at the end of the 20th
century. With international tourism forecast to nearly triple in volume over
the next 20 years, members of the World Tourism Organization believe that the
Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is needed to help minimize the negative impacts
of tourism on the environment and on cultural heritage while maximizing the
benefits for residents of tourism destinations.
The code was called for in a resolution of the WTO General Assembly meeting in Istanbul in 1997. Over the following two years, a special committee for the preparation of the Global Code of Ethics was formed and a draft document was prepared by the Secretary-General and the legal adviser to WTO in consultation with WTO Business Council, WTO's Regional Commissions, and the WTO Executive Council.
The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development meeting in New York in April, 1999 endorsed the concept of the code and requested WTO to seek further input from the private sector, non-governmental organizations and labour organizations. Written comments on the code were received from more than 70 WTO Member States and other entities. The resulting 10 point Global Code of Ethics for Tourism - the culmination of an extensive consultative process- was approved unanimously by the WTO General Assembly meeting in Santiago in October 1999.
The code includes nine articles outlining the "rules of the game" for destinations, governments, tour operators, developers, travel agents, workers and travellers themselves. The tenth article involves the redress of grievances and marks the first time that a code of this type will have a mechanism for enforcement. It will be based on conciliation through the creation of a World Committee on Tourism Ethics made up of representatives of each region of the world and representatives of each group of stakeholders in the tourism sector- governments, the private sector, labour and non-governmental organizations.
The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, reproduced
on the following pages, is intended to be a living documents. Read it. Circulate
it widely. Participate in its implementation. Only with your cooperation can
we safeguard the future of the tourism industry and expand the sector's contribution
to economic prosperity, peace and understanding among all the nations of the
world.
Francesco Frangialli
Secretary- General WTO
| From: World Tourism Organization |