UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

1. UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism Freya Higgins-Desbiolles University of South Australia

2. Background UNWTO General Assembly meeting in Istanbul in 1997 called for the code. Over the following 2 years, a special committee for the preparation of the Code was formed & a draft document was prepared by the Secretary-General & the legal adviser to UNWTO in consultation with UNWTO Business Council, UNWTO's Regional Commissions, & the UNWTO Executive Council.The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development meeting in New York in April, 1999 endorsed the concept of the Code & requested UNWTO to seek further input from the private sector, NGOs & labour organizations. Written comments on the code were received from more than 70 UNWTO Member States & other entities. The resulting 10 point Global Code of Ethics for Tourism - the culmination of an extensive consultative process- was approved unanimously by the UNWTO General Assembly meeting in Santiago in October 1999.The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), in its substantive session of July 2001, adopted a draft resolution on the Code of Ethics and called on the UN General Assembly to give recognition to the Code. The official recognition by the UN General Assembly to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism came on 21 December 2001.

3. "The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism sets a frame of reference for the responsible and sustainable development of world tourism� 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 & on cultural heritage while maximizing the benefits for residents of tourism destinations. The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is intended to be a living document. 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 & understanding among all the nations of the world." - Francesco Frangialli, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization

4. Key content ARTICLE 1Tourism's contribution to mutual understanding & respect between peoples & societiesARTICLE 2Tourism as a vehicle for individual & collective fulfilmentARTICLE 3Tourism, a factor of sustainable developmentARTICLE 4 Tourism, a user of the cultural heritage of mankind & contributor to its enhancement ARTICLE 5Tourism, a beneficial activity for host countries & communitiesARTICLE 6Obligations of stakeholders in tourism developmentARTICLE 7Right to tourismARTICE 8Liberty of tourist movementsARTICLE 9Rights of the workers & entrepreneurs in the tourism industryARTICLE 10Implementation of the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

5. Outcomes since 2001 Survey on the Implementation of the Global Code of Ethics 2005-5 The survey questionnaire was sent to 145 Full Members, seven Associate Members & two Permanent Observers of the WTO. A total of 94 Members have responded by 15 July 2005 (see http://www.unwto.org/code_ethics/eng/status.htm).

6. Some of the Questions included in the Questionnaire: Has your country expressed its formal acceptance of the Global Code of Ethics? Has your country implemented the Global Code of Ethics in any of the ways listed below? Has the Global Code of Ethics been translated into your national language(s)? Has the Global Code of Ethics been disseminated in your country to the following �stakeholders of tourism development�? Has your government taken any action to promote the Global Code of Ethics? Has your national tourism administration designated a focal point to follow-up the implementation of the Code of Ethics in your country ?

7. Results 3/4s of responding countries & territories indicated that they had used the Code by either incorporating the principles it contains into their legislative texts or by using them as a basis when establishing national laws & regulations related to tourism 83 percent have promoted the Code & disseminated it to at least one of the different categories of tourism stakeholders 35 countries have made the effort to translate the Code into their national or local languages Survey has failed to mobilize one third of the WTO member States & territories- some of them of considerable importance Poor participation of the private and operational sector (17 out of over 300 Affiliate Members) � context of private sector now playing a key role in tourism development & planning

8. Criticisms of the Code- voluntary code It is not a legally binding document - Article 10 provides for a voluntary implementation mechanism through the recognition of the role of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics (WCTE), to which stakeholders may refer, on a voluntary basis, any matters concerning the application and interpretation of the Code.

9. Criticisms- values Whose norms & values? The document was created from developed countries� perspectives & questions of values must be asked. Tourists have the right to travel but does the �host� have the right to say no? The Code commands �respect for rights & dignity�. But does tourism to poverty stricken & oppressed countries violate this? These countries are currently told to sell themselves to tourists for development. What about the right to development promised by ECOSOC? D�Sa states that the ultimate value difference is the market values of current power players versus the community values of local communities

10. Criticisms- local communities D�Sa states UNWTO & Code is virtually unknown to local communities who bear the brunt of tourism impacts In fact, local communities are not mentioned in the list of stakeholders (tourism professionals, public authorities, governments & media are included) Instead host communities are asked to acquaint themselves with & respect tourists & they are told �they should be associated with tourism activities�

11. Criticism- who benefits? Codes of Ethics are statements of ideals & the gap between the rhetoric & reality can be startling. Do the powerful states & MNCs who support it through the UNWTO see it as meaningful, accept restrictions & obligations & costs? Consider Article 9: �as an irreplaceable factor of solidarity in development�MNCs of the tourism industry should not exploit the dominant positions they sometimes occupy�in exchange for their freedom to invest & trade which should be fully recognised, they should involve themselves in local development, avoiding, by the excessive repatriation of their profits or their induced imports, a reduction in their contribution to the economies in which they are established�

12. Criticisms- Market economy The preamble to the Code states �convinced that the world tourism industry as a whole has much to gain by operating in an environment that favors the market economy, private enterprise & free trade & that serves to optimize its beneficial effects on the creation of wealth & employment�� Are the declared values of human dignity & environmental sustainability compatible with this?

13. Consider We should ask ourselves what space the Code allows us to advocate for equitable & just tourism when it states �tourism is a vital force for peace� and �[we] state our wish to promote an equitable, responsible & sustainable world tourism order, whose benefits will be shared by all sectors of society�� We should also apply caution � ensuring our work is more meaningful than the Code�s example.

14. Sources: See UNWTO website at http://www.unwto.org/code_ethics/eng/global.htm for comprehensive information about the Code Also http://www.unwto.org/code_ethics/eng/status.htm D�Sa, E. (1998), "Global Code of Ethics - what of NGO and community involvement?", Web Forum - Ethical Tourism: The Debate, http://www.mcb.co.uk/services/conferen/webforum/mcb-eit-session1/index.html, .