PR No.: PR11073
Ten years since the adoption of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism by the United Nations General Assembly, the first International Congress on Ethics and Tourism has opened with calls to intensify efforts to place ethics at the core of tourism development (Madrid, Spain, 15-16, September).
“In today’s global economic climate, it is more important than ever for all sectors to follow ethical principles,” said Secretary-General of Tourism and Domestic Trade of Spain, Joan Mesquida opening the Congress. “Today is an opportunity to assess the implementation of the ethical framework for the tourism sector, the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism”.
"We have made every effort to ensure that those countries in which tourism development is just beginning, and with which we sign cooperation agreements, govern according to these principles and demand the same of the multinationals that invest in their countries,” he said.
In his keynote address, the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Jorge Sampaio, spoke of the need to move towards a new global, sustainable society underpinned by strong ethical foundations. “Sustainability requires a common vision of basic values in our increasingly interdependent world,” he said. “Because it involves the movement of millions of people, tourism can play a pivotal role in creating a shared sense of responsibility”.
UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, pointed to the extraordinary growth of the tourism sector over the past decades and the opportunities for jobs, economic development and social empowerment this has brought to millions of people; but alerted that tourism growth also brings challenges that can’t be ignored. “A tourism sector without an ethical conscience can harm our planet. We need to place ethics, responsibility and sustainability at the core of all our actions and ensure the adoption of and adherence to the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism,” he said.
On the occasion of the Congress, UNWTO and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen relations and formalize UNWTO’s support for the UNAOC mandate to “improve understanding and cooperative relations among nations and peoples across cultures and religions”.
Mr. Rifai highlighted the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day, Tourism – Linking Cultures, as a clear example of the potential of tourism to contribute to the aims of the UNAOC. “With nearly one billion tourists crossing international borders, tourism is one of the best way for people to experience, interact with and learn from new cultures. This cultural exchange spurs dialogue among nations and peoples, fostering mutual understanding, respect and ultimately, peace,” he noted.
“With the aim of advancing the principles of the Global Code of Ethics, the main objective of the Italian Chairmanship of the UNWTO Executive Council has been to promote the development of a practical guide and an international legal instrument for the protection of travellers/consumers, especially in cases of emergency. To this end, an ad hoc working group is assessing the rules in force in the 154 UNWTO Member States and Italy expects the first results to be available at the next UNWTO General Assembly,” said Michela Brambilla, Minister of Tourism of Italy, host country of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics.
Organized by UNWTO and the Spanish General Secretariat of Tourism and Domestic Trade, the Congress has brought together over 450 tourism officials, business leaders, international organizations and experts in the field of ethics and tourism to debate how to guarantee a truly responsible and sustainable tourism sector. The two-day meeting will address questions of gender equality, tourism’s role in poverty reduction, sustainable tourism practices in both the public and private sector, and codes of ethical conduct.
Note to editors:
A frame of reference for responsible and sustainable tourism, the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is a comprehensive set of principles designed to guide key-players in tourism development. Addressed to governments, the tourism sector, communities and tourists alike, it aims to help maximize the sector’s benefits while minimizing its potentially negative impact on the environment, cultural heritage and societies across the globe. Adopted in 1999 by the UNWTO General Assembly, the Code of Ethics was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2001.
The First International Congress on Ethics and Tourism is being organized by UNWTO and the Spanish General Secretariat of Tourism and Domestic Trade, with the support and participation of: the European Commission, SEGITTUR (Spanish Cooperation for the Management of Innovation and Technology in Tourism), the Madrid Tourist Board, the Reina Sofia Museum, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Mélia Hotels International and the Banesto Foundation. EFE news agency and BBC World News are media partners.
Relevant links:
First International Congress on Ethics and Tourism
The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism
Contacts:
UNWTO Principal Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
PR No.: PR11070
The United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Jorge Sampaio, the Vice President of the European Commission, Antonio Tajani, and the Ministers of Tourism of Ecuador, Italy, South Africa and Tanzania are among the speakers of the First International Congress on Ethics and Tourism (Madrid, Spain, 15-16 September). The Congress will be officially closed by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias.
The Congress, which will address some of the most pressing ethical issues currently facing the tourism sector, aims to evaluate the way forward for a more ethical and responsible tourism sector and secure renewed commitment to the principles of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.
Former President of Portugal and UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Jorge Sampaio, will deliver the keynote address at the Congress, paving the way for two days of debates on the relationship between ethics and tourism, focusing on issues such as sustainability, gender equality, tourism’s contribution to poverty alleviation and corporate social responsibility.
Confirmed participants include the Ministers of Tourism of Ecuador, Italy, South Africa and Tanzania; leading tourism companies, including the Vice President of Meliá Hotels International, Sebastián Escarrer; representatives from UN Women, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Global Compact; and organizations at the forefront of ethical tourism, including the Executive Director of ECPAT International, a global network for the elimination of child prostitution, child pornography and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes.
Organized by UNWTO and the Spanish General Secretariat of Tourism and Domestic Trade, the Congress will count on the presence of UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Commerce of Spain, Miguel Sebastián and Secretary-General of Tourism and Domestic Trade of Spain, Joan Mesquida.
EFE news agency and BBC World News are media partners of the Congress and BBC presenter, David Eades, will host the event.
Note to editors:
A frame of reference for responsible and sustainable tourism, the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is a comprehensive set of principles designed to guide key-players in tourism development. Addressed to governments, the tourism sector, communities and tourists alike, it aims to help maximize the sector’s benefits while minimizing its potentially negative impact on the environment, cultural heritage and societies across the globe. Adopted in 1999 by the UNWTO General Assembly, the Code of Ethics was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2001.
The First International Congress on Ethics and Tourism is being organized by UNWTO and the Spanish General Secretariat of Tourism and Domestic Trade, with the support and participation of: the European Commission, SEGITTUR (Spanish Cooperation for the Management of Innovation and Technology in Tourism), the Madrid Tourist Board, the Reina Sofia Museum, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Mélia Hotels International and the Banesto Foundation.
Relevant links:
First International Congress on Ethics and Tourism
The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism
Contacts:
UNWTO Principal Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
First International Congress on Ethics and Tourism
International tourism experts and leading media representatives, including from Newsweek, TIME Magazine, Google and the national tourism entities of Brazil, Columbia and Slovenia, will come together to discuss the positioning of tourism in the media as an economic, employment and development driver at ‘Tourism in the Headlines’, the 1st UNWTO International Conference on Tourism and the Media, (12 – 13 September, Zagreb, Croatia).
The UNWTO event, organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism of Croatia, will address the growing need for tourism to be acknowledged, in mainstream media as much as in specialized travel outlets, as an economic and development tool for modern-day challenges. The conference will consider the case for tourism as a socio-economic instrument – facilitating jobs, economic growth and poverty alleviation opportunities – and provide practical debates on the most effective tools for reaching the headlines.
CNN International will act as the media partner for the event and their own Germany correspondent, Frederik Pleitgen, will deliver the keynote presentation ‘Tourism: Front Page News’, sharing with participants his unique insight as a well-respected and experienced reporter.
Other confirmed speakers include Michael Schuman of TIME Magazine, Sana Butler of Newsweek International, John Bell of the Guardian and Susana Reyero of Edelman.
The event provides an outstanding global networking opportunity, with confirmed participants from over 30 countries worldwide with backgrounds ranging from National Tourism Authorities to social media specialists. The meeting also features the collaboration of the World Federation of Travel Journalists and Writers (FIJET).
All information about the conference, including discounted accommodation options, is now available here and registration through the website is open.
Relevant links:
‘Tourism in the Headlines’ conference information
‘Tourism in the Headlines’ press release
Contacts:
Principal Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications Programme
Tel: +34 91-567-8100
Fax: +34 91-567-8218
International tourism recovery is underway across the world. Sustaining this growth through innovation, while advancing social responsibility in the sector, is the objective at the heart of the activities and events organized by UNWTO at this year’s Travel Trade Show, ITB Berlin (Berlin, Germany, 9-13 March 2011).
The UNWTO Secretary-General will deliver the keynote address at the official opening of ITB (8 March, 18.00, ICC, Hall 1) reflecting on tourism’s role in the past decade, looking ahead to the next, and setting the tone for UNWTO activities at ITB 2011:
Silk Road Ministers’ Summit (9 March, 11.00 – 13.00, Room Istanbul between Halls 10 and 11)
Leaders of the Silk Road destinations will meet to discuss how they can work together to maximize tourism development through the revival of the Silk Road brand. Organized by UNWTO and supported by ITB Berlin, the Summit will debate development and investment opportunities while tackling some of the regions’ most critical issues and challenges such as travel facilitation.
The Silk Road B2B Tour Operators Networking Event (10 March, 10.00 – 11.30, Room Istanbul between Halls 10-11), will bring together outbound and and incoming tour operators to explore new business opportunities and exchange tips on selling the Silk Road.
The Silk Road Hour, shown daily at 14.00-15.00 on the silver screen at the ITB Film Festival 2011, will be a collection of short films and live cultural performances featuring the destinations of the Silk Road, organized by the National Tourism Administrations.
For more information, please visit www.UNWTO.org/silkroad or contact silkroad@UNWTO.org
Workshop on the Protection of Tourists/Consumers and Travel Organizers (9 March, 17.00 – 19.00, Palais West, North Entrance through Hall 19)
The rapid growth in international tourism, coupled with the rise of crises situations, man-made or natural, calls for global binding rules governing the rights and responsibilities of tourists and tour operators. This first UNWTO Workshop is intended to trigger debate on a future legal instrument that will ensure the protection of both tourists and professionals in times of crises.
For more information, please visit http://www2.UNWTO.org/en/event/unwto-workshop-touristsconsumers or contact ecsr@UNWTO.org
UNWTO Press Conference - International tourism figures and UNWTO events (10 March, 12.00 – 14.00, ICC, Hall 4/5)
The UNWTO Secretary-General will present the tourism trends and figures for the full year 2010 and preliminary data for 2011. The conclusions of the Global Tourism Forum Andorra 2011, directly preceding ITB, will be presented, as well as the calendar of upcoming UNWTO events for 2011.
For more information, please contact comm@UNWTO.org
For information on the Global Tourism Forum Andorra 2011: http://gtfandorra.UNWTO.org
Launch of the UNWTO/UN Women Global Report on Women in Tourism 2010 (11 March, 10.30 – 12.30, ICC, Hall 7)
Since 2008, UNWTO and UN Women (formerly UNIFEM) have been working together to bring gender issues to the forefront of tourism, promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment and the mainstreaming of gender issues in national tourism policies and corporate decisions. The result of this close collaboration, the ‘Global Report on Women in Tourism 2010’, is a landmark study and the first to map women’s active participation in the tourism sector worldwide.
The report will be officially launched at ITB by the UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, and the UN Women Deputy Director, Joanne Sandler.
For more information please visit /archive/global/event/launch-unwtounwomen-global-report-women-tourism-2010 or contact ecsr@UNWTO.org
26th Meeting of the Task Force for the Protection of Children in Tourism (11 March, 14.30 – 17.30, ICC, Hall 7)
The annual meeting of the International Task Force for the Protection of Children in Tourism will this year focus on child protection in tourism planning and development.
The heads of 25 UN entities have released a statement reaffirming their commitment to make young people a priority in their work and incorporate their perspectives within the United Nations system. This expression of support at the highest level comes in the context of the United Nations International Year of Youth (August 2010 – August 2011).
“With strengthened resolve, we stand ready to work as one within the United Nations to support young people in achieving their aspirations,” says the statement.
UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, was among the signatories of the joint statement of the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development (IANYD). Youth travel has become an increasingly important part of global tourism in recent decades and the sector offers vital socio-economic opportunities for young people.
Relevant links:
Joint Statement of the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development
About the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development
Joint Statement by Heads of UN Entities for the Launch of the International Year of Youth
Youth Travel Matters – Understanding the Global Phenomenon of Youth Travel
Youth Outbound Travel of the Germans, the British & the French
Contacts:
Principal Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications Programme
Tel: +34 91-567-8100
Fax: +34 91-567-8218
PR No.: PR 11065
Following the terrible events in Norway, the UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, made the following statement:
“UNWTO was profoundly shocked by last Friday’s appalling attacks in Norway which claimed many innocent lives.
On behalf of UNWTO and the international tourism community, I wish to convey our sincere condolences to all those that have lost loved ones and to the Government and people of Norway in this difficult time”.
Contacts:
Principal Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications Programme
Tel: +34 91-567-8100
Fax: +34 91-567-8218