Local communities should get more from tourism: UNWTO

Human rights and tourism discussed at Bali conference

Ensuring that the social and economic benefits of tourism reach local communities was at the heart of the first ‘UNWTO Seminar on Tourism Ethics for Asia and the Pacific: Responsible Tourism and its Socio-Economic Impact on Local Communities’.

The Seminar took place in parallel with the 10th meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics (12-13 June, Bali, Indonesia).

Says UNWTO: “Tourism has proven one of the most effective means to drive job creation and economic development in local communities. The sector contributes to not only wealth creation, but also increases access to essential services such as water, sanitation, telecommunications and transport. “

“When not properly managed, however, the positive benefits of tourism run the risk of bypassing local residents."

The seminar saw best practices from Australia to Vanuatu highlighted and there were debates on some of the most pressing issues in tourism ethics and responsible tourism.

A  “Spirit of Bali Statement” was adopted by over 150 participants and pledged all stakeholders to work together to achieve the proposed recommendations.

The Seminar took place as part of the 10th meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics, which analyzed many ethical issues including the impact of recent events in the Middle East and North Africa.
Human rights and tourism, the voice of civil society in tourism planning, the economic empowerment of women through tourism, and accessible tourism for all, in particular for persons with disabilities was also discussed.

Tourism and consumer protection was highlighted by year’s travel disruptions caused by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud and the recent eruption of the Chilean volcano and the Committee decided to support and assist UNWTO in the preparation of an international legal instrument in this area.

Established by the UNWTO General Assembly in 2004, the purpose of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics is to promote and monitor the implementation of UNWTO’s guiding policy document, the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.

Since this time, the body has discussed such topics as solidarity in tourism in the case of natural disasters, HIV-related travel restrictions, the protection of children against all forms of exploitation in tourism, and the ethical aspects of the impact of the global economic crisis and the H1N1 influenza on the sector.

Relevant links:
UNWTO Seminar on Tourism Ethics for Asia: Responsible Tourism and Its Socio-Economic Impact on Local Communities: http://www2.unwto.org/en/event/seminar-tourism-ethics-asia-and-pacific-responsible-tourism-and-its-socio-economic-impact-loca

The Spirit of Bali Statement: http://www2.unwto.org/sites/all/files/pdf/the_spirit_of_bali_statement.pdf
Global Code of Ethics for Tourism: http://ethics.unwto.org/en/content/global-code-ethics-tourism

Valere Tjolle
Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011, special offers HERE