UNWTO to make ethics code an international convention
Set to be on agenda for May general assembly
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is working to convert the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism into an international Convention, in order to increase the commitment of all stakeholders to its principles.
The process is being led by an intergovernmental Working Group composed of representatives of 36 UNWTO Member States.
Currently the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, adopted in 1999, represents a voluntary instrument whereas, the future Convention on Tourism Ethics would constitute a binding agreement.
"For UNWTO to have its first International Convention based on its cornerstone policy document would be of great significance, especially at a time when the uninterrupted growth of international tourist arrivals has reached a record of 1.2 billion in 2016, doubling the figures of tourism in 1999, year in which the Global Code of Ethics was adopted", said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.
The Convention will be presented for consideration and possible adoption to the 22nd UNWTO General Assembly, to take place in Chengdu, China, on 6-9 September 2017.
If approved, the Convention would represent an important step for UNWTO as a specialized agency of the United Nations, as it would be the first international treaty of the Organization. The adoption of the draft Convention on Tourism Ethics this year would be particularly timely since 2017 has been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.
Useful links:
UNWTO Ethics and Social Responsibility Programme http://ethics.unwto.org/
World Committee on Tourism Ethics http://ethics.unwto.org/en/content/world-committee-tourism-ethics
UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism http://ethics.unwto.org/en/content/global-code-ethics-tourism
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