Ethics in tourism
The Member States of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have approved a historic document: the UNWTO Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics. Approved at the twenty-second meeting of the UNWTO General Assembly, it is the result of the transformation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism into an international convention, the first created within the UNWTO.
The Convention contemplates the responsibilities of all agents of sustainable tourism development, and provides a framework that recommends an ethical and sustainable modus operandi through, among other measures, respect for the right to tourism, freedom of movement for tourists, and the rights of employees and professionals.
The conversion of the Code, adopted in 1999, represents a step of utmost importance to guarantee that tourism development takes into account and fully respects sustainable development, social aspects and the development of local communities, improves intercultural dialogue and contemplates its link with decent employment.
- DOCUMENT CONTENT:
The document has been prepared around the nine basic principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. To frame these principles in the classic structure of an international treaty, several provisions have been adapted.
The Preamble of the text is inspired by that of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, although updated to the current international context and the purpose of the proposed agreement.
Part I of the Convention includes General Provisions that contextualize the text by describing key terminology, the objective and scope of the Convention’s provisions, as well as the means of implementation.
Part II is dedicated to the Ethical Principles in Tourism, which constitute the backbone of the Convention.
Part III on the World Committee on Tourism Ethics refers to the mandate, composition and functioning of this subsidiary body of the UNWTO General Assembly in the context of the Convention.
The final two sections of the Convention contain standard provisions of international treaties, namely, Part IV refers to the Conference of States Parties and Part V presents the Final Provisions regulating the procedures of signature, ratification, acceptance, approval and accession.
The Optional Protocol annexed to the Convention is a separate instrument that States Parties to the Convention can decide whether to ratify or not; It consists of a voluntary conciliation mechanism on the interpretation or application of the Convention.
You can consult the document by clicking on the following image.
