UN body discusses ethical practices in tourism

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) began its two-day meet on ethical practices in tourism industry in Bangalore yesterday amid mounting concerns over the fall-out of international tourist arrivals the world over touching 808 million during 2005.

The World Committee on Tourism Ethics of the UNWTO will deliberate on the impact of such travel and frame guidelines for ethical practices in the tourism industry. The meeting would discuss tourist safety and security, besides a host of other related issues including the implications of movement of such a large number people on social, cultural and environment aspects.

Special Advisor to the UNWTO Secretary General David De Villiers told reporters that the shift in international travel to Asian and African countries was putting pressure on airports, besides environmental, cultural and social aspects. “The meeting would also work towards drafting implementation parameters for Global Code of Ethics and Tourism”, he said.

Deputy Secretary General of the UNWTO Taiyeb Rifai said receipts from international tourism amounted to 500 billion euros by the end of 2005. Though Europe contributed substantially to tourism sector, the growth has been much faster in markets of Africa, Asia and West Asia. “This entailed enormous responsibilities on stakeholders and the Global Code of Ethics and Tourism would come in handy for the purpose”, he said.

The Global Code of Ethics and Tourism is a set of principles, whose purpose is to guide stakeholders in tourism development, governments and local communities.