Below is the second half of Murray’s post from 2012.
In 2001 the United Nations adopted a resolution drafted by the World Tourist Organization entitled ‘The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism’. It outlines 10 points that, if implemented, will aid tourism while minimizing negative impacts.
Article 1; Tourism’s contribution to mutual understanding and respect between peoples and societies, explains that both tourist and host should respect each other and their cultural biases.
Article 2; Tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfillment, encourages people to use tourism to enrich their lives and not exploit others while fulfilling that pursuit.
Article 3; Tourism, a factor of sustainable development, implores those involved to take steps to ensure that any tourism has as small an impact as possible. Not only on the environment but also on the culture of the area.
Article 4; Tourism, a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and a contributor to its enhancement, speaks to the idea that history and cultural ikons should be available to all, that the host area take responsibility to maintain the ikons and that part of the proceeds obtained from the tourism industry be available to help with maintaining said ikons.
Article 5; Tourism, a beneficial activity for host countries and communities, indicates that the local population should be involved in and benefit from the tourism activities that take place in their locale.
Article 6; Obligations of stakeholders in tourism development, outlines the obligations of those that participate in tourism activities.
Article 7; Right to tourism, promotes the idea of universally accessible tourism.
Article 8; Liberty of tourist movements, encourages the powers that be to make it as easy as possible for tourists to move within any given country as well as from country to country.
Article 9; Rights of the workers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry, implores that all those that are employed within the tourist industry be respected and treated with respect.
Article 10; Implementation of the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, puts forth the proposition that both host and tourist buy into the Code and do their best to comply with its intentions.
This framework is still relevant in 2023. If you are interested, the following link is a brochure that has the exact wording of the resolution and the articles that comprise “The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.”
There are as many reasons for travel as there are travelers. It is up to each of us to get out of our excursions what we are searching for, but we cannot do so at a cost to others. We share the world and we should do so respecting all aspects of the environment and our neighbors.