The Congress focused on guaranteeing a truly responsible and sustainable tourism sector, and on intensifying efforts to place ethics at the core of tourism development.
In signing their commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, 14 of Spain's tourism companies pledged to promote and implement the values of responsible and sustainable tourism.
15 September 2011: The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) convened the first International Congress on Ethics and Tourism, resulting in 14 of Spain’s prominent tourism businesses committing to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. The Congress convened from 15-16 September 2011, in Madrid, Spain, and was attended by tourism officials, business leaders, international organizations and experts in the field of ethics and tourism.
According to UNWTO, the Congress was focused on ways to guarantee a truly responsible and sustainable tourism sector, and on intensifying efforts to place ethics at the core of tourism development. In his address to the Congress, UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai pointed to the need “to place ethics, responsibility and sustainability at the core of all our actions” ensuring the adoption of, and adherence to, the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.
In signing their commitment, the companies pledge to uphold, promote and implement the values of responsible and sustainable tourism development championed by the Code of Ethics.
Another key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNWTO and the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) to strengthen relations and support the UNAOC mandate to “improve understanding and cooperative relations among nations and peoples across cultures and religions.” [UN News Centre Story, 15 Sep.] [UNWTO Press Release, 15 Sep.] [UNWTO Press Release, 19 Sep.] [UN News Centre Story, 19 Sep.]