UNWTO Informs On Tourism Ethics On International Human Rights Day (10 December)

On 10 December, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) referred to its guiding policy document – the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET) – on the occasion of International Human Rights Day.

The GCET is a comprehensive set of principles designed to guide key-players in tourism development.

“The protection and promotion of human rights represents the very cornerstone of UNWTO’s work and is one of the fundamental aims of the organization,” the UNWTO said on its social media channels.

UNWTO’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is anchored to the same standards for integrity, mutual respect and dignity enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and allots particular priority to vulnerable groups:

– the protection of children from all forms of exploitation in tourism.
– the equality, empowerment and advancement of women.
– ensuring the accessibility of tourism infrastructure and services for persons with disabilities, for the elderly, and for the socio-economically disadvantaged.

The GCET is addressed to governments, the travel industry, 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.

It should be noted that last month, the Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourist Agencies (HATTA) was one of the associations of travel agencies from around the world that signed the UNWTO’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET).

For more about GCET (available for download), press here.

International Human Rights Day

The UN General Assembly proclaimed 10 December as Human Rights Day in 1950, to bring to the attention “of the peoples of the world” the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.

In 2013, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights marks 20 years since its establishment.

For more on International Human Rights Day, press here.