International Tourism Policy Exam
Definition of International Tourist: any person who travels to a country other than that in which their usual residence but outside their usual environment for a period not exceeding 12 months and whose main purpose of visiting is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the country visited, and who stay at least one night in a collect or private accommodation in the country visited.
Definition of International Tourist Industry: The international tourist industry of a country may be defined as the sum of domestic activities that directly support the consumption of goods and services of foreign tourists in the country.
Components of International Tourist Industry:
Accommodation
Transport
Entertainment
Attractions
Increasing number of destinations are investing in tourism
Tourism driving socio-economic progress through job creation, export revenues and infrastructure development
Tourism is the largest and fastest growing economic sector in the world
Tourism accounts for approximately 1 in 11 jobs worldwide
Long Term Forecast:
International tourist arrivals are expected to increase by 3.3% a year between 2010-2030
Between 2010-2030 arrivals in emerging destinations are expected to increase at twice the rate of advanced economies
Emerging Destinations:
Asia
Latin America
Central and Eastern Europe
Eastern Mediterranean Europe
Middle East
Most Visited Countries (2018)
France
Spain
United States
China
Italy
Turkey
Mexico
Germany
Thailand
United Kingdom
Reasons for Growth in Chinese Tourism Market
Rising disposable income
Appreciating currency
Improved travel facilitation
Easing restrictions on foreign travel
Outbound travel growing exponentially for last two decades
China generates 13% of global tourism receipts, particularly benefitting Asia and the Pacific
Most international travel takes place within the traveler’s own region
4 out of 5 international tourists travel within own region
Purpose of Visit:
Leisure, recreation, vacation 53%
Visiting family and friends, health, religion, other 27%
Business and professional 14%
Not specified 6%
Mode of Transport:
Air 54%
Road 39%
Rail 2%
Water 5%
The Growth of International Tourism:
Contributory Factors:
Route to economic development, when there are few alternatives
Requires large labor force
Less harmful than other industries
Utilizes existing resources
Often attracted to remote areas
Can rejuvenate and preserve culture
People searching for authentic cultural experiences
Contributions to Exports:
International tourism accounts for 30% of the world’s exports of services and 6% of total exports, similar in both developing and emerging economies
As an export category it ranks 4th world wide after fuels, chemicals, and food
For many emerging economies, tourism is the first export earner
This includes several of the world’s least developed countries
Burkina Faso, Gambia, Haiti, Madagascar, Nepal, Rwanda, and Tanzania
How are governments facilitating tourism development?
Visa facilitation can stimulate economic growth and job creation
Countries in the Americas and in Asia and the Pacific have been at the forefront of Visa facilitation
Europe and the Middle East have more restrictive Visa policies
Emerging countries tend to be more open than advanced ones, for example, South-East Asia, East Africa, and the Caribbean are among the most open regions
Destinations need to be adaptable in order to survive and develop in a rapidly transforming global economy and marketplace
Country for assignments:
Issues that can impact tourism
Epidemics
Natural disasters
Security
Other considerations
Seasonality - mountain destinations
City destinations - need to facilitate citizens and tourists
Ethical Considerations
Human rights
Stakeholders
Gender equality
Protection of host community and vulnerable goods
The Need for Sustainability in Tourism
Tourism can diminish traditional values and ways of life
Competition for scarce resources
Shift from traditional industries to tourism
Tourism impacts tangible and intangible resources
Successful Sustainable Tourism Based on a Number of Dimensions
Must be economically viable
Benefits dispersed daily
Natural resources must be protected
Social and cultural practices need to be respected
Support of the local community is vital
Can act as ambassadors for tourism enterprise
Have local knowledge
Understand and preserve local culture
Needed to create welcome atmosphere
Support of local community is important for off-season
Functions of UNWTO
UN agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism
As the leading international organization in the field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability, and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide
Encourages the implementation of the global code of ethics for tourism, to maximize tourism’s socio-economic contribution while minimizing its possible negative impacts
It promotes tourism as an instrument in achieving the sustainable development goals geared towards reducing poverty and fostering sustainable development worldwide
Generates market knowledge, promotes competitive and sustainable tourism policies and instruments, fosters tourism education and training, and works to make tourism an effective tool for development through technical assistance projects in over 100 countries around the world
Membership includes 158 countries representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities
WTTC: World Travel and Tourism Council
Functions of the WTTC
Represents the travel and tourism private sector globally
Over 170 CEOs, presidents and chairpersons from the global travel and tourism industry
Over 150 companies represented on the council
Focuses on 3 key areas
Security and travel facilitation
Crisis preparedness and response
Sustainable growth*
Partner With:
Industry: Bloomberg, coca cola, deloitte
Knowledge: euromonitor international, forward keys, traveler data intelligence
Media: BBC
ETC: European Travel Commission
Non-profit organization responsible for the promotion of Europe as a tourist destination
Provides statistics and other info relevant to monitor tourism in Europe and in select source markets
Provides access to key indicators and market intelligence info for the travel and tourism industry in Europe
Works with:
WTTC
UNWTO
Tourism Economics
Forward Keys
Contemporary Travel Trends
Bleisure Travel
Growing tourism trend where people extend business travel to leisure activities
Expected to continue to grow
Companies may offer some tourist experiences to their workers for traveling
The digital nomad phenomenon is growing with millennials
Online workers and freelancers adopt the lifestyle of traveling as they work
Tours can take advantage of this by creating attractions that would be enticing to workers
Having wifi everywhere is important
Automation
Online bookings
Advertising is cheaper
More convenience to booking and offers
Mobile Bookings
2 in 5 online bookings are made on mobile devices
Spend 50% more on tours and activities per trip
Average 2.9 tours per trip
They are twice as likely to leave online reviews
Personalization
57% of travelers believe that companies should personalize their buying experiences
Flexible experiences
Tech-empowered Travel
Technology and innovation seem to be key to building traveler confidence and will increase willingness to travel in the next 12 months
Sustainability
Countries are urged to accelerate sustainability in tourism practices
Not only about the environment, but also about making a positive impact on cultures, economies, and the people at the destinations that clients visit
Active Eco-tourism
Combining the passion for travel with conservation of the environment
Cost effectiveness
37% of tourists think opportunities for travelers to be involved in the preservation of tourist destinations will help the industry to become more sustainable in the long term
Transformative travel
Leisure and also aiming to make a difference in both the lives of others and ones self
The Millennial Market
Who are they?
Common characteristics
Millennials is the term used to describe the demographic born between early 1980s and early 2000s
Also called Gen Y, Peter Pan or boomerang generation
What a real experience
Want to be connected constantly
Extensive use of mobile technology and social media
The millennial generation represents 20% of international travelers
By 2020, 320 million international trips were expected to be made by youth travelers each year, a 47% increase from 217 million in 2013
Technology
They are tech savvy
Having grown up in a digital age, millennials are now heavily tech-dependent
They consume information on a rapid and almost constant basis
This means they book trips faster and often share their own travel experiences in real time
Good Citizenship
Good citizens
Nearly half of millennials show more interest in destinations that offer volunteering opportunities
Moreover, millennials are more willing to engage in sustainable practices and care more about environmental issues
Wish to Learn
They like to learn new things
Travel isn’t just about fun with millennials
Attracted to authentic experiences where they have an opportunity to learn something new
Prefer hands on, interactive experiences
Spontaneous
Many airlines and hotels have begun offering last minute online travel deals targeted at digitally savvy millennial travelers
A host of apps have emerged to help travelers find a flight or hotel last minute
Marketing
Word of mouth recommendations
8 out of 10 travelers say they’re likely to trust the recommendations of a family member or friend via social media when it comes to travel
More and more recent studies to report that travelers trust review from peer review and strangers more than those from friends or colleagues
Business and Destination
Positive indication for sustainable and community based destinations
Destinations need to focus on more authentic experiences
Involve
Collaboration with local residents in destination marketing yields enormous results
Millennials are attracted to this type of information because it is authentics
Millennials want to travel like locals and this can be achieved by connecting them with the local people of a destination
Facilitate relationship building
All travelers want to feel welcome
Making them feel welcome before they even touch down in a destination is establishing a positive experience
Emphasize authenticity
Instead of focusing on what the destination lacks, what is actually has should be celebrated
What are the main characteristics of the Chinese Market?
Approx 10% have a passport
What are the main activities engaged in by the Chinese tourist?
Why do repeat visitors tend to travel alone?
What are the main drivers fueling the Chinese Market?
Domestic travel for educational purposes has long been a tradition in China
Foreign travel is a relatively new phenomenon, foreign travel was historically frowned upon
As a result of growing economy, travel facilitations and social change, Chinese outbound tourism is expanding significantly
Europe is the main destination for Chinese tourists traveling outside their home region
In China, Europe is much appreciated for its landscape, culture, and history
A trip to Europe is seen as a boost to prestige
The WTO predicts that by 2020 a quarter of all tourists visiting Europe from Asia will come from China *
Chinese tourists tend to purchase high quality gifts and souvenirs for friends at home, relatives, and work colleagues
Group travel, with a guide, is the preferred way to travel for Chinese tourists
Offers better orientation
Offers better security
Without the support of a tour guide many Chinese travelers often feel uncomfortable due to language barriers and lack of multilingual signage
Many Chinese tourists tend to be young
Happy to travel with family, including young children and grandparents
In addition to leisure, increasing number traveling to Europe to visit friends and relatives
Increasing number taking business trips
Number of repeat visitors increasing
Tend to travel individually
Without tour guide
Understanding and orientation less of an issue
The Drivers of Change
Society
Demographics
Ride in individualism
One child policy
Future problems, aging population
Technology
Digital culture
More information available
Economy
Growing middle class
More disposable income
Increased spending on travel
Politics
Urbanization
Adapt to lifestyle
Leads to more travel
Government policies
Visas
Climate Change: implications for tourism
The sector is exposed to numerous direct and indirect impacts from climate change
Sea level rise and more acidic oceans will threaten coastal tourism infrastructure and natural attractions
Rising temperatures will shorten winter sports seasons and threaten the visibility of some ski resorts
Climate change will lead to changes in biodiversity affecting ecotourism
Adaptation options exist, but many are likely to add costs and offer only short term relief
Locations at risk can invest in more resilient infrastructure
However, under scenarios that see high emissions, and higher temperatures, questions exist as to whether adaptation is possible at all
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The contribution of tourism to greenhouse gas emissions is rising and are projected to grow 130% between 2005 and 2035
There is considerable uncertainty about how tourists will respond to the effects of climate change
Academic research provides much detail on likely impacts and on possible changes in tourism demand
These changes are likely to create opportunities at both destination and business level
Sustainable tourism development guidelines and management practices are applicable to all forms of tourism in all types of destinations including mass tourism and the various niche tourism segments
The 3 pillars of sustainable development
Environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long term sustainability
Environmental: make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity
Socio-cultural: respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance
Economic: ensure viable, long term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty alleviation
Requirements for Implementation
Sustainable tourism development requires the informed participation of all relevant stakeholders, as well as strong political leadership to ensure wide participation and consensus building
Achieving sustainable tourism is a continuous process and it requires constant monitoring of impacts, introducing the necessary preventive measures or corrective measures whenever necessary
Should also maintain a high level of tourist satisfaction and ensure a meaningful experience to the tourists
Raising awareness about sustainability issues and promoting sustainable tourism practices amongst them
Boston
Sustainable
Public transportation, less individual car use
Uber green and Uber pool
Non-sustainable
Duck boat tours and ferry tours or sunset cruises
Accessible Tourism
Persons with disabilities and tourism
Globally, it is estimated that there are over 1 billion persons with disabilities, as well as more than 2 billion people, such as spouses, children and caregivers of persons with disabilities
This represents a significant proportion of the world’s population who are affected by disability
While this signifies a huge potential market for travel and tourism, it still remains vastly under-served due to inaccessible travel and tourism facilities and services, as well as discriminatory policies and practices
What is accessible tourism?
Enables all people to participate in and enjoy tourism experiences
Many people have access needs, whether or not related to a physical condition
Older and less mobile people have access needs, which can become a huge obstacle when traveling and touring
The ongoing endeavor to ensure that tourist destinations, products and services are accessible to all people, regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities or age
This includes publicly and privately owned tourist locations, facilities and services
Accessible tourism involves a collaborative process among all stakeholders, governments, international agencies, tour operators and end users, including persons with disabilities and their organizations
A successful tourism product requires effective partnerships and cooperation across many sectors at the national, regional, and international levels
From idea to implementation, a single destination visit normally involves many factors, including accessing information, long distance travel, local trans, accommodation, shopping, and dining
The impact of accessible tourism thus goes beyond the tourist beneficiaries to the wider society, ingraining accessibility into the social and economic values of society
International Action and Frameworks
The Un Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2006
CRPD Article 9 on Accessibility calls for State Parties to take appropriate measure to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to the physical environment, information, transportation, and other facilities and services open or provided to the public
Also calls for the elimination of obstacles and barriers to accessibility, including all transportation and facilities
Furthermore, Article 30 on participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure, and sport also calls for state parties to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the benefits of tourism
This goal captures tourism and recreation through its call for the provisions of universal design for accessible and sustainable transportation systems, inclusive urbanization, and access to green and public spaces
Silver-Haired Tourists
Growth in Over 60’s Market
The share of the world’s population over the age of 60 increased from 8% in 1950 to 12% in 2013
According to forecasts, this share will reach 21% by 2050
The aging population will increase specifically in China, India and the U.S. where each country is expected to have a population with over 100 million people aged 60 or above by 2050
Life expectancy varies between developed and developing regions and people tend to live longer in developed countries
Although the aging population is now increasing in developing countries, the majority is still found in Europe, the Americas and Asia, which are also the worl’s major travel sources
Especially important sources are countries such as Germany, China, and the U.S., and forecasts say that these countries will continue to be primary sources for outbound tourism
Common Characteristics
Senior members of society can often be more financially secure, whether they are still working or have retired
This is generally true for developed countries where they have the purchasing power to indulge in travel
Those that still work, whether out of desire or necessity, can sometimes be in relatively high-paying jobs
Those seniors that enjoy the benefit of a generous pension may also have enjoyed growth in stock portfolio or seen significant gains in housing prices over the last few decades
With a satisfactory disposable income, less home responsibilities, more time to travel, and relatively good health, they are an important tourist segment and are expected to spend more than all other age groups on holiday travels
Demands: they are active travelers
Other than the availability of funds, time, and health for travel, the older population has a greater desire to travel and to explore the world than previous generations
This is motivated by the widened availability of travel information on different media and social media channels
Demands: highly personalized services
Considering the unique characteristics of travel products demanded by senior travelers, they require tailor-made services and prefer to build trust through face-to-face interaction with providers
They have different preferences and interests, expectations and needs, and their focus is often based on special interest tourism
This silver-hair segment presents an invaluable opportunity for travel agents, especially when they are gradually losing their competitive advantages to online agents in the increasingly digitalized travel industry
Their travel agency must offer flexibility and understanding in order to meet their needs
Demands: soft adventure for “feeling young”
The aging population is relatively fitter and healthier than previously and they do not consider themselves too old to travel
They demand travel products that are more experience driven
They no longer seek material goods, but rather life experiences
There are already tour operators developing niche products specifically for this “young at heart” segment
Their holidays range from short breaks to cruising itineraries for up to 19 days, but all specifics are tailor-made for small groups aged 60 and over
Despite comfort remaining their top priority, pursuing luxury may no longer be an exclusive priority for senior travelers, and instead they may prefer adopting the local lifestyle just to have a unique experience
Demands: health and Wellness products
Health and wellness travel, especially among senior travelers is already very popular
They will continue to travel for health reasons, from purely medical reasons to the general purposes of promoting health and well-being through physical, psychological or spiritual activities
Demands: Insurance Cover
Senior travelers purchase travel insurance at a higher rate than their younger counterparts
It is also expected that in the future they might require 24/7 emergency support and travel consultation services, not only during, but also before or even after their travel
Pro-Poor Tourism
What is Pro-Poor Tourism?
Pro-poor tourism (PPT) is defined as tourism that generates net benefits for the poor
Benefits of PPT
Economic
Social
Environmental
Cultural
PPT is:
Not a specific product or sector of tourism but an approach to the industry
Strategies for making pro-poor tourism focus specifically on unlocking opportunities for the poor within tourism, rather than expanding the overall size of the sector
Core Activities:
Increasing access of the poor to economic benefits
Examples include:
Expanding business and employment opportunities for the poor
Providing training so they are in a position to take up these opportunities
Spreading income beyond individual earners to the wider community (where do you source the food)
Addressing the negative social and environmental impacts often associated with tourism
Examples include:
Lost access to land
Lost access to coastal areas
Pollution
Social disruption
Possible solutions: adhere to local government laws, to international tourism charters, choose environmentally friendly energy sources, careful use of scarce resources such as water, respect to local culture and ways of life
Policy and process reform
Creating a policy and planning framework that removes some of the barriers to the poor
By promoting participation of the poor in planning and decision making processes surrounding tourism
By encouraging partnerships between the private sector and poor people in developing new tourism products
How can PPT be supported?
Governments, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and the poor themselves all have critical and very different roles to play in PPT
The role of governments in PPT:
There needs to be a policy environment that facilitates PPT
The role of the private sector:
Private operators should participate in product and market development to ensure commercial realism
The role of NGO’s:
NGO’s can play a role in developing the sustainable tourism agenda
The role of the poor themselves:
They need to be organized at community level in order to engage effectively in tourism
Effectiveness of PPT strategies
It has been shown that PPT strategies do appear to be able to tilt the industry to expand opportunities for the poor
This is particularly evident at local or district levels
Impacts vary with location and the relative size of the tourism sector
International targets aim to halve the number of people living in poverty
Poverty reduction requires strategies on a variety of complementary fronts and scales but a prerequisite of significant progress is pro-poor growith, growth which benefits the poor
Developing countries:
Have only a minority share of international tourism market (est 30%)
Their share is growing
International tourism arrivals in developing countries have grown by an average of 9.5% per year since 1990
Economies most dependent on tourism tend to be small island states
The Caribbean is the most tourism dependent region in the world
The Maldives is the most dependent country
Statistics cover the contribution of international tourism to national GDP
They may nide the significance of tourism to local economies
Example, tourism accounts for approximately 2.5% of GDP in India. In Uttar Pradesh, a hill region popular for pilgrim trails, tourism accounts for approximately half of all economic activity
Tourism is of great significance to developing countries
In countries with high levels of poverty, tourism is significant or growing
Criticisms of tourism as a pro-poor strategy
Skeptics argue that because tourism is often driven by foreign, private sector interests, it has limited potential to contribute much to poverty elimination in developing countries
It is noted for high levels of revenue leakage
Mich of the revenue that is retained in the destination country is captured by rich or middle income groups and not the poor
It negatively affects the poorest of people, economically, socially, environmentally, and culturally
Requirements for PPT
PPT needs a diversity of actions, from micro to macro level, including product development, marketing, planning, policy, and investment
It goes well beyond community tourism, requiring an integrated and holistic approach to the entire tourism style
PPT must be incorporated into tourism development strategies of government or business
Broader policy frameworks and initiatives outside tourism, such as on land tenure, small enterprise and representative government are also needed
PPT works best where the wider destination is developing well and where effective networks can be developed between community and mainstream tourism elements
The poverty impact may be greater in remote areas, though tourism itself may be on a limited scale
PPT strategies often involve the development of new products, particularly based on local culture
These should be integrated with mainstream products if they are to find markets
Ensuring commercial viability is a priority
This requires close attention to demand, product quality, marketing, investment in business skills, and inclusion of the private sector
Economic measures should expand both regular jobs and casual earning opportunities while tackling demand and supply
Non-financial benefits, such as increased participation and access to assets, can reduce vulnerability. More should be done to address these
PPT is a long-term investment. Expectations must be managed and short-term benefits developed in the interim
External funding may be required and justified to cover the substantial transaction costs of establishing partnerships, developing skills, and revising policies
While poverty eradication is the central component of PPT, environmental sustainability concerns need to be integrated into planning and operations as well for long-term success
Women in Tourism
Data on % of women in workforce are incomplete, but most believe that women make up a large portion of tourism workers
Men get the management roles and women get the labor roles for the most part
This is particularly evident in developing regions, and there is greater potential for women to find positions of responsibility in the tourism industry than in other sectors of the economy
As a result, despite the inevitable risks involved, the tourism industry has become a leading engine for women’s empowerment
Low status jobs
Tourism researchers describe tourism employment as a pyramid with a large number of women at the bottom
In the Bahamas, a study found that although there are many more women than men in the tourism industry, the women earn less per week ($344) than the men ($375)
The study also observed a high degree of gender stereotyping in the tourism industry. Women mainly worked in lower-paid clerical and cleaning jobs while men work as hotel and restaurant managers, machine operators, and gardeners
In Singapore, a study found that only two females out of 77 made it to the general manager position in the hotel sector
The study identified some of the barriers to female entry in to hospitality careers such as job discrimination, gender-role stereotyping, long hours, and the difficulty of having a family while pursuing a high-pressure hospitality career
It was also noted that women often lack the opportunity to socialize with the top male managers and therefore do not benefit from the mentoring received by their male colleagues
In Belize, women tourism employees were frequently required to be more qualified than men in order to get the same jobs
A survey of 1,555 hospitality managers found that 40% reported sexual discrimination related to promotion and salaries
80% of women in the study saw gender discrimination and sexual harassment as ongoing workplace problems
In Egypt, researchers observed that women are less likely to be in top managerial positions in 5 star hotels and resorts and they are more likely to reach the top in smaller hotels
The barriers to women’s advancement in 5 star resorts in Egypt were identified as gender discrimination, relationships at work, lack of mentor support, and lack of network access
Gender Stereotyping
The airline industry is another example of a segregated sector. Women dominate sales, ticketing, and flight attendant positions, while the majority of airline CEOs, managers, and pilots are men
Change in underway, however, and out of approximately 80,000 pilots worldwide, about 4,000 are now women (5%); 450 are captains
Japan Airlines accepted its first woman pilot in 2007 and Royal Jordanian Airlines flew its first flight with an all female crew in 2009
In many countries, tour guiding is another area that has been hard for women to enter
Tour guiding is often regarded as a desirable profession in developing countries due to the generous tips provided by foreign tourists
In many societies, however, the profession is male-dominated, and women tour guides have faced significant discrimination
In Malaysia, women tour guides have formed an association to protect their rights
The Malaysian Women Tourist Guides Association was established in 2007 to advocate for a safe working environment, equal job opportunities, and equal pay for women guides
Informal Employment
Tourism has the potential to contribute to better informal employment and to provide decent opportunities for entrepreneurs
The International Labor Organization (ILO) found more than one third of all informal employment is in the service sector and much of it is in tourism-related work
Souvenir making, catering work, janitorial work, and security guard positions provide opportunities for unskilled women who would otherwise be employed
The flexibility of tourism work, such as producing handicrafts, can allow these women to continue with their traditional roles while improving their standard of living
Exploitation
Exploitation through tourism can take many different forms: poor wages, dangerous working conditions, sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, prostitution, slavery, and human trafficking
Women and children living in poverty in developing countries are particularly vulnerable to these threats
Tourism sex work can result in far greater long-term hardships such as HIV/AIDS, social dislocation, destitution, or drug addiction
Improving Women’s Employment in Tourism
Employment
Requirements:
Equal participation of women in the tourism workforce
Equal pay for women in tourism
Equal occupational status for women in tourism
Better working conditions for women in tourism
Increase awareness of the important economic role that women play in the tourism industry
Strengthen legal protection for women in tourism employment; such protections include minimum wage regulations and equal pay laws
Improve maternity leave requirements, flexible hours, work from home options, and arrangements for childcare
Entrepreneurship
Women can be tourism employers
Women need access to land and finance for tourism
Facilitate women’s tourism entrepreneurship by ensuring women’s access to credit, land and property as well as providing appropriate training and resources to support women’s enterprises
Education
Women need access to tourism education
Women can work as tourism trainers
Promote women’s participation in tourism education and training and improve the educational level of women already working in different areas of the industry through a targeted and strategic program of action
Leadership
Women can be tourism decision-makers
Women can be tourism business leaders
Support women’s tourism leadership at all levels: public sector, private sector, and community management by establishing leadership programs at the national level and in large and small-scale tourism enterprises
Community
Women can work in tourism at home
Vulnerable women in tourism should be protected by the tourism industry and community
Ensure that women’s contribution to community development is properly recognized and rewarded by taking into account women’s unpaid work and by monitoring tourism activities carried out in the home and in the community
Role of the private sector
Promote gender equality and women’s empowerment as fundamental components of Corporate Social Responsibility activities, in line with the Global Compact - UN Women’s Empowerment Principles
The role of the public sector including tourism policy-makers
Take proactive steps to mainstream gender in tourism policy, planning, and operations
The role of the international organizations and civil society
International organizations and civil society should call on governments, the international community, and the private sector to protect women’s rights in tourism and to monitor progress in the empowerment of women through tourism
Collaboration with UNWTO/UN Women is needed to develop programs and projects dedicated to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment through tourism
Global Code of Ethics for Tourism: UNWTO
Article 1: tourism’s contribution to mutual understanding and respect between peoples and societies
The understanding and promotions of the ethical values common to humanity, with an attitude of tolerance and respect for the diversity of religious, philosophical and moral beliefs, are both the foundation and the consequence of responsible tourism
Tourism activities should be conducted in harmony with the attributes and traditions of the host regions and countries in respect for their laws, practices and customs
The host communities, on the one hand, and local professionals, on the other, should acquaint themselves with and respect the tourists who visit them and find out about their lifestyles, tastes and expectations; the education and training imparted to professionals contribute to a hospitable welcome
It’s the task of the public authorities to provide protection for tourists and visitors and their belongings; they must pay particular attention to the safety of foreign tourists owing to the particular vulnerability they may have
Tourism authorities should facilitate the introduction of specific means of information, prevention, security, insurance, and assistance consistent with their needs
Any attacks, assaults, kidnappings, or threats against tourists or workers in the tourism industry, as well as the wilful destruction of tourism facilities or of elements of cultural or natural heritage should be severely condemned and punished in accordance with their respective national laws
When traveling, tourists and visitors should not commit any criminal act or any act considered criminal by the laws of the country visited and abstain from any conduct felt to be offensive or injurious by the local populations, or likely to damage the local environment, they should refrain from all trafficking in illicit drugs, arms, antiques, protected species and products and substances that are dangerous or prohibited by national regulations
Tourists and visitors have the responsibility to acquaint themselves, even before their departure, with the characteristics of the countries they are preparing to visit; they must be aware of the health and security risks inherent in any travel outside their usual environment and behave in such a way as to minimize those risks
Article 2: tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfillment
Tourism, the activity most frequently associated with rest and relaxation, sport and access to culture and nature, should be planned and practiced as a privileged means of individual and collective fulfillment
When practiced with a sufficiently open mind, it’s an irreplaceable factor of self-education, mutual tolerance and for learning about the legitimate differences between peoples and cultures and their diversity
Tourism activities should respect the equality of men and women; they should promote human rights and the individual rights of the most vulnerable groups, notably children, the elderly, the handicapped, ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples
The exploitation of human beings in any form, especially when applied to children, conflicts with the fundamental aims of tourism and is the negation of tourism
It should be energetically combated with the cooperation of all the States concerned and penalized without concession by the national legislation of both the countries visited and the countries of the perpetrators of these acts, even when they are carried out abroad
Travel for purposes of religion, health, education, and cultural or linguistic exchanges are particularly beneficial forms of tourism, which deserve encouragement
The introduction into curricula of education about the value of tourist exchanges, their economic, social and cultural benefits, and also their risks should be encouraged
Article 3: tourism, a factor of sustainable development
All the stakeholders in tourism development should safeguard the natural environment with a view to achieving sound, continuous and sustainable economic growth geared to satisfying equitably the needs and aspirations of present and future generations
All forms of tourism development that are conducive to saving rare and precious resources, in particular water and energy, as well as avoiding possible waste production, should be given priority and encouraged by national, regional and local public authorities
The staggering in time and space of tourist and visitor flows, particularly those resulting from paid leave and school holidays, and a more even distribution of holidays should be sought so as to reduce the pressure of tourism activity on the environment and enhance its beneficial impact on the tourism industry and the local economy
Tourism infrastructure should be designed and tourism activities programmed in such a way as to protect the natural heritage composed of ecosystems and biodiversity and to preserve endangered species of wildlife
Nature tourism and ecotourism are recognized as being particularly conducive to enriching and enhancing the standing of tourism, provided they respect the natural heritage and local populations and are in keeping with the carrying capacity of the sites
Article 4: tourism, a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and a contributor to its enhancement
Tourism resources belong to the common heritage of mankind; the communities in whose territories they are situated have particular rights and obligations to them
Tourism policies and activities should be conducted with respect for the artistic, archaeological and cultural heritage
Financial resources derived from visits to cultural sites and monuments should be used for the upkeep, safeguard, development, and embellishment of this heritage
Tourism activity should be planned in such a way as to allow traditional cultural products, crafts and folklore to survive and flourish, rather than causing them to degenerate and become standardized
Article 5: tourism, a beneficial activity for host countries and communities
Local populations should be associated with tourism activities and share equitably in the economic, social, and cultural benefits they generate, and particularly in the creation of direct and indirect jobs resulting from them
Tourism policies should be applied in such a way as to help to raise the standard of living of the populations of the regions visited and meet their needs; the planning and architectural approach to and operation of tourism resorts and accommodation should aim to integrate them, to the extent possible, in the local economic and social fabric; where skills are equal, priority should be given to local manpower
Special attention should be paid to the specific problems of coastal areas and island territories and to vulnerable rural or mountainous areas, for which tourism often represents a rare opportunity for development in the face of the decline of traditional economic activities
Tourism professionals, particularly investors, governed by the regulations laid down by the public authorities, should carry out studies of the impact of their developments projects on the environment and natural surroundings; they should also deliver, with the greatest transparency and objectivity, information on their future programmes and their foreseeable repercussions and foster dialogue on their contents with the populations concerned
Article 6: obligations of stakeholders in tourism development
Tourism professionals have an obligation to provide tourists with objective and honest information on their places of destination and on the conditions of travel, hospitality and stays
Tourism professionals, insofar as it depends on them, should show concern, in cooperation with the public authorities, for the security and safety, accident prevention, health protection and food safety of those who seek their services
Tourism professionals, so far as this depends on them, should contribute to the cultural and spiritual fulfillment of tourists and allow them, during their travels, to practice their religions
The public authorities of the generating states and the host countries, in cooperation with the professionals concerned and their associations, should ensure that the necessary mechanisms are in place for the repatriation of tourists in the event of the bankruptcy of the enterprise that organized their travel
Governments have the right and the duty, especially in crisis, to inform their nationals of the difficult circumstances, or even the dangers they may encounter during their travels abroad
The press, and particularly the specialized travel press and the other media, including modern means of electronic communication should issue honest and balanced information on events and situations that could influence the flow of tourists
Article 7: right to tourism
The prospect of direct and personal access to the discovery and enjoyment of the planet’s resources constitutes a right equally open to all the world’s inhabitants; the increasingly extensive participation in national and international tourism should be regarded as one of the best possible expressions of the sustained growth of free time, and obstacles should not be placed in its way
The universal right to tourism must be regarded as the corollary of the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays
Social tourism, and particularly associative tourism, which facilitates widespread access to leisure, travel and holidays, should be developed with the support of the public authorities
Family, youth, student, and senior tourism and tourism for people with disabilities should be encouraged and facilitated
Article 8: liberty of tourist movements
Tourists and visitors should benefit, in compliance with international law and national legislation, from the liberty to move within their countries and from one state to another, in accordance with article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; they should have access to places of transit and stay to tourism and cultural sites without being subject to excessive formalities or discrimination
Article 9: rights of workers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry
Salaried and self-employed workers in the tourism industry and related activities have the right and the duty to acquire appropriate initial and continuous training, they should be given adequate social protection
4. Exchanges of experience offered to executives and workers, whether salaried or not, from different countries, contributes to foster the development of the world tourism industry
5. As an irreplaceable factor of solidarity in the development and dynamic growth of international exchanges, multinational companies of the tourism industry should not exploit the dominant position they sometimes occupy, they should avoid becoming the vehicles of cultural and social models artificially imposed on the host communities
6. Partnership and the establishment of balanced relations between enterprises of generating and receiving countries contribute to the sustainable development of tourism and an equitable distribution of the benefits of its growth
Article 10: implementation of the principles of the global code of ethics for tourism
The public and private stakeholders in tourism development should cooperate in the implementation of these principles and monitor their effective application
The stakeholders in tourism development should recognize the role of international institutions, among which the World Tourism Organization ranks first, and non-governmental organizations with competence in the field of tourism promotion and development, the protection of human rights, the environment or health, with due respect for the general principles of international law
The same stakeholders should demonstrate their intention to refer any disputes concerning the application or interpretation of the Globe Code of Ethics for Tourism for conciliation to an impartial third body known as the World Committee on tourism ethics