GUIDED by the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, the World Committee on Tourism Ethics (WCTE) has met to advance the fair and responsible recovery of the sector.
The meeting, which held at the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s headquarters in Madrid recently, explored the main topics of its working groups for the next four years (period of 2022-2025) with focus on analysing the ethical aspects and impacts of the following tourism-related areas: Decent Work, Inclusive Growth & Community Empowerment, Technology & Digital Platforms, Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability, and Social Sustainability & Intercultural Dialogues. These areas will include several issues to which the committee will pay specific attention.
Addressing the meeting, WCTE Chair, Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka who welcomed members to the first in-person Committee session since the start of the pandemic said, “Right now, it is safe to say that while many precautions must still be applied, the world is moving towards a positive destination. It is our job in this Committee to keep an eye open on the ethical applications of a tourism inclusive recovery.”
UNWTO Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic, also said: “This year we have recovered almost 60% of international tourist arrivals in comparison to pre-pandemic numbers. This shows that the tourism sector, while in deep crisis, has the capacity to bounce back. Most importantly, we must have the right ethical tools as many livelihoods depend on tourism.”
