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Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism
In 2011, UNWTO formulated a Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, for the signature of private enterprises worldwide. In signing the commitment, companies pledge to uphold, promote and implement the values of responsible and sustainable tourism development championed by the Code. They further undertake to report on their implementation of the Code's principles in their corporate governance to the World Committee on Tourism Ethics.
A special focus on social, cultural and economic matters is one of the main objectives of the Commitment, which draws particular attention to issues such as human rights, social inclusion, gender equality, accessibility, and the protection of vulnerable groups and host communities.
As of May 2013, 112 companies and associations from around the world have signed the Private Sector Commitment to the Code of Ethics. These signatories include enterprises from Armenia, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador, France, Germany, Mexico, Uruguay, The Netherlands, Tunisia, Turkey, Spain, and Uruguay as well as one regional association from Latin America.
The first Commitments were signed by eleven of Spain’s most prominent tourism businesses, at the first International Congress on Ethics and Tourism, in Madrid, Spain, on the 16th of September 2011, in the presence of their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias, the Minister of Tourism of Spain, the Secretary-General of UNWTO, the Secretary-General of Turespaña, the President of UNICEF Spain, and the Chairman of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics. The majority of the companies also signed ECPAT's Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism. The majority of the companies also signed ECPAT's Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism.
On this occasion, UNWTO Secretary-General Dr. Taleb Rifai observed: “If responsible tourism is to become a tangible reality in our world, it is essential that the private sector, like their counterparts in public institutions, embrace the principles of ethical, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. Today, these companies have underscored their dedication to corporate social responsibility, to support the protection and empowerment of vulnerable groups, consumers and humanity’s heritage, to champion gender equality, poverty reduction, accessibility, cultural and environmental sustainability, and to facilitate access to decent employment across the globe.”
These 11 Spanish enterprises were: Agrupación de Cadenas Hoteleras de Baleares; Amadeus IT Group; ASHOTEL; Federación Española de Asociaciones de Agencias de Viajes; Federación Empresarial Hotelera de Mallorca; Grupo Barceló; Grupo Iberostar; Iberia; Melia Hotels International; NH Hotels; and Orizonia.
The representatives of the first companies to sign the Private Sector Commitment to the Code of Ethics with Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias, the Minister of Tourism of Spain, the Secretary-General of UNWTO, the Secretary-General of Turespaña, the President of UNICEF Spain, and the Chairman of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics, at the first International Congress on Ethics and Tourism (Madrid, Spain, 15-16 September 2011). More photos from the first signing ceremony are available on UNWTO's flickr page.
Photo credit: Eventos y Comunicación, S.L. and Tourspain
In addition to these eleven Spanish enterprises, companies and associations from a number of other countries have also signed the Private Sector Commitment. In September 2012, on the occasion of the 2nd International Congress on Ethics and Tourism, held in Quito, Ecuador, three prolific businesses from South America also became signatories of the Commitment, namely Destino Punta del Este (Uruguay), FIASEET (Federación Internacional de Asociaciones de Ejecutivas de Empresas Turísticas) and Hoteles Decameron Ecuador. The ceremony was held in the presence of H.E. Mr. Freddy Ehlers, Minister of Tourism of Ecuador and UNWTO Secretary-General, Mr. Taleb Rifai.
Signatories of the Commitment from Ecuador, Uruguay and FIASEET at the 2nd International Congress on Ethics and Tourism (September 2012, Quito), with H.E. Mr. Freddy Ehlers, Minister of Tourism of Ecuador, Mr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General and Mr. Marcio Favilla, UNWTO Executive Director
Photo credit: Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador
In October 2012, BTW, the Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry, signed the Commitment at the body's 16th Tourism Summit, in Berlin, Germany, in the presence of Mr. Ernst Burgbacher, Germany’s Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and Federal Government Commissioner for SMEs and Tourism, UNWTO Executive Director for Competitiveness, External Relations and Partnerships, Mr. Marcio Favilla.
BTW President Mr. Klaus Laepple shakes hands with UNWTO Executive Director Mr. Marcio Favilla at the BTW signing of the Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, on the 8th of October 2012, in Berlin, Germany (see the Press Release)
Photo credit: BTW (Bundesverband der Deutschen Tourismuswirtschaft)
Also in October 2012, five prominent Armenian private sector companies became Signatories of the Commitment. The signing of the Commitments took place at the International Conference on "Universal Values and Cultural Diversity in the 21st Century: How can tourism make a difference?" (18-19 October 2012, Yerevan, Armenia), in the presence of H.E. Mr. Tigran Davtyan, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, and Mr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General. The signatory enterprises were: Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan; ARMHotels; Tufenkian Hospitality; the Union of Incoming Tour Operators of Armenia; and Zvartnots Armenia International Airports.
The five Armenian signatories of the Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism with H.E. Mr. Tigran Davtyan, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, and Mr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General (International Conference on Universal Values and Cultural Diversity in the 21st Century: How can tourism make a difference? October 2012, Yerevan)
Photo credit: Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia
On the occasion of the 94th session of UNWTO's Executive Council, held in Campeche, Mexico on the 24th and 25th of October 2012, eleven of Mexico's major tourism companies and associations signed Commitments to the Code of Ethics, in the presence of the Secretary of Tourism of Mexico, H.E. Ms. Gloria Guevara, the Secretary-General of UNWTO, and the Members of the UNWTO Executive Council (for more information, please see the event's Press Release). These enterprises were: Aeroméxico; Asociación de Empresarios Mayoristas (ExpoMayoristas); Asociación Femenil de Ejecutivas de Empresas Turísticas (AFEET Mexico); Asociación Mexicana de Desarrolladores Turísticos (AMDETUR); Asociación Mexicana de Hoteles de Campeche, A.C.; Asociación Mexicana de Hoteles y Moteles (AMHM); Confederación de Cámaras Nacionales de Comercio, Servicios y Turismo (CONCANACO-SERVYTUR); Consejo Empresarial Turístico de Campeche; Corporativo Cedis - Grupo Palace Resorts; Hoteles Misión; and RCI – Latin America & Caribbean.
Mexican signatories of the Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism with H.E. Ms. Gloria Guevara Manzo, Secretary of Tourism of Mexico, and UNWTO Secretary-General, Dr. Taleb Rifai, at the 94th session of the UNWTO Executive Council (24-25 October 2012, Campeche, Mexico). For further information, please see the event's Press Release)
Photo credit: México - Secretaría de Turismo (SECTUR)
Fourteen prominent German companies and Members of the DRV, the German Travel Association, at the DRV's 2012 Annual Conventio, held in Budva, Montenegro (15-17 November 2012). These enterprises were: the DRV (Deutscher ReiseVerband), AIDA Cruises, Air Berlin, FTI Group, Gebeco, Phoenix Reisen, REWE Touristik Gesellschaft, Schauinsland Reisen, SKR Reisen, Studiosus Reisen München, Thomas Cook AG, TUI AG, TUIfly, and Windrose Finest Travel. For more information, please see the event's Press Release or read more about DRV's signature at www.drv.de/engagement/umweltschutz-und-soziale-verantwortung/unwto-ethikkodex.html (for a summary in English, click here)
Representatives of the German DRV Member signatories of the Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, at the DRV's 2012 Annual Convention (17 November 2012, Budva, Montenegro) (see the Press Release or visit DRV's website)
Photo credit: DRV, Deutsche ReiseVerband e.V
ANVR, the Netherlands Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators, signed the Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics on the 9th of January 2013, in Utrecht, The Netherlands, on behalf of its 1,400 member enterprises. The signing was organised in the context of the ANVR event “Changes in Tourism”, held at the Dutch travel fair Vakantiebeurs. The Commitment was signed in the presence of HRH Princess Laurentien of The Netherlands and UNWTO Secretary-General, Mr. Taleb Rifai.
Mr. Frank Oostdam, Director of ANVR, and Mr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General at the signing ceremony of the Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (9 January 2013, Utrecht, The Netherlands) (see the Press Release for more information)
Photo credit: ANVR
The Commitment was signed by the French Travel Agents Association SNAV, les Professionnels du Voyage on the 2nd of February 2013, in Tenerife, Spain, on the occasion of the association's annual Congress. SNAV is the first French tourism association to have signed the Commitment to the Code of Ethics.
Mr. Georges Colson, President of SNAV, and UNWTO Executive Director for Programmes and Coordination, Mr. Ferederic Pierret, at the ceremony for SNAV's signature of the Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics (2 February 2013, Tenerife, Spain) (see the Press Release for more information)
Photo credit: SNAV, les Professionnels du Voyage
Five of Turkey's most prominent companies and associations signed the Commitment in the context of the 55th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe (26-27 March 2013, Çeşme, Turkey), in the presence of the Secretary-General of UNWTO and Mr. Özgür Özaslan, Undersecretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey and Mr. Özgür Özaslan, Undersecretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey. These enterprises were: FEST Travel, TOBB (the Union of Chambers and Commidity Exchanges of Turkey), TÜROFED (the Turkish Hoteliers Federation), TÜRSAB (the Association of Turkish Travel Agents), and TYD (the Turkish Tourism Investors Association). A Seminar on "Tourism on World Heritage Sites: Challenges and Opportunities" was also held in parallel with the Commission meeting.
The representatives of the five Turkish companies to sign the Private Sector Commitment to the Code of Ethics with the Secretary-General of UNWTO, Mr. Taleb Rifai, at the 55th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe
Photo credit: Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey
On the 24 April 2013, in the context of the 54th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa, held in Tunis, Tunisia, 1 enterprise from Cote d'Ivoire, FENITOURCI (Fédération Nationale de l'Industrie Touristique de Côte d'Ivoire) and 2 entities from Tunisia, the Fédération Tunisienne des Agences de voyages et de Tourisme (FTAV) and the Fédération Tunisienne de l’Hôtellerie (FTH) signed the Commitment. The signing was held in the presence of H.E. Mr. Ali Larayedh, Prime Minister and Head of Government of Tunisia, H.E. Mr. Jamel Gamra, Minister of Tourism of Tunisia, H.E. Mr. Roger Kacou, Tourism Minister of Côte d'Ivoire, and Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO.
The signing ceremony of the Commitment arranged during the 54th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa (24 April 2013, Tunis, Tunisia)
Photo credit: Ministry of Tourism of Tunisia
In April 2013, 4 enterprises from Bahrain - Al Safir Hotel, Dadabhai Travel, Domain Hotel and Mathias Travel - signed the Commitment at the "International Conference on Exploring New Cultural Horizons for Tourism" (29 April 2013), in the presence of H.E. Sheikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Culture of Bahrain and Mr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General.
Photo credit: Ministry of Culture of Bahrain
Signatories of the Private Sector Commitment to the Code from Bahrain, at the International Conference on Exploring New Cultural Horizons for Tourism" (29 April 2013, Manama, Bahrain)
A landmark 53 companies and associations from Costa Rica became signatories of the Commitment on the 13th of May, 2013, at an event held in the context of the 55th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for the Americas in San Jose, Costa Rica, in the presence of H.E. Mr. Allan Flores, Minister of Tourism of Costa Rica, and Mr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General.
Private Sector Signatories of the Commitment
The following tourism companies and associations have signed the Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. For the full text of the Commitment to the Code, please click here.
Please note: we are currently in the process of updating this list to reflect the addition of 53 Costa Rican enterprises which signed the Commitment on the 13th of May, 2013.
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Aeroméxico (Mexico) |
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Agrupación de Cadenas Hoteleras de Baleares (Spain) Date signed: 16 September 2011, Madrid, Spain Event: 1st International Congress on Ethics and Tourism Signed by: Ms. Margalida Ramis Fornes, President Photo of the signing: Please click here Website: http://www.cadenashoteleras.org |
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AIDA Cruises (Germany) |
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Air Berlin (Germany) Date signed: 17 November 2012, Budva, Montenegro Event: DRV Annual Convention 2012 Signed by: Mr. Detlef Altmann, Director of Tourism and Sales Photo of the signing: Please click here Website: http://www.airberlin.com |
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Al Safir Hotel (Bahrain) |
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Amadeus IT Group S.A. (Spain) |
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ANVR (The Netherlands Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators) (The Netherlands) Date signed: 9 January 2013, Utrecht, The Netherlands Event: ANVR event “Changes in Tourism” Signed by: Mr. Frank Oostdam, Director of ANVR Photo of the signing: Please click here Website: http://www.anvr.nl |
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Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan (Armenia) |
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ARM Hotels (Armenia) |
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Asociación de Empresarios Mayoristas (Expo Mayoristas) (Mexico) |
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Asociación Femenil de Ejecutivas de Empresas Turísticas (AFEET Mexico) |
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Asociación Hotelera y Extrahotelera de Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera y El Hierro - ASHOTEL (Spain) Date signed: 16 September 2011, Madrid, Spain Event: 1st International Congress on Ethics and Tourism Signed by: Mr. José Fernando Cabrera García, President Photo of the signing: Please click here Website: http://www.ashotel.es |
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Asociación Mexicana de Desarrolladores Turísticos (AMDETUR) (Mexico) |
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Asociación Mexicana de Hoteles de Campeche (Mexico) Date signed: 24 October 2012, Campeche, Mexico Event: 94th Session of the UNWTO Executive Council (Press Release) Photo of the signing: Please click here Signed by: Mr. Roberto Ortega González, President |
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Asociación Mexicana de Hoteles y Moteles (AMHM) (Mexico) |
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BTW - Bundesverband der Deutschen Tourismuswirtschaft (Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry) (Germany) |
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Confederación de Cámaras Nacionales de Comercio, Servicios y Turismo (CONCANACO – SERVYTUR) (Mexico) |
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Consejo Empresarial Turístico de Campeche (CETUR) (Mexico) |
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Corporativo Cedis - Grupo Palace Resorts (Mexico) |
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Dadabhai Travel (Bahrain) |
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Domain Hotel (Bahrain) |
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Destino Punta del Este (Uruguay) |
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DRV - Deutscher ReiseVerband (German Travel Association) (Germany) |
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Federación Española de Asociaciones de Agencias de Viajes (Spain) Date signed: 16 September 2011, Madrid, Spain Event: 1st International Congress on Ethics and Tourism Signed by: Mr. Rafael Gallego Nadal, President Photo of the signing: Please click here Website: http://www.feaav.org |
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Federación Empresarial Hotelera de Mallorca - FEHM (Spain) |
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Federación Internacional de Asociaciones de Ejecutivas de Empresas Turísticas (FIASEET) (South and Central America) |
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Fédération Nationale de l'Industrie Touristique de Côte d'Ivoire (FENITOURCI) (Cote d'Ivoire) |
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Fédération Tunisienne de l’Hôtellerie (FTH) (Tunisia) |
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Fédération Tunisienne des Agences de voyages et de Tourisme (FTAV) (Tunisia) |
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Fest Travel (Turkey) |
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FTI Group (Germany) Date signed: 17 November 2012, Budva, Montenegro Event: DRV Annual Convention 2012 Signed by: Mr. Ralph Schiller, Director Photo of the signing: Please click here Website: http://www.fti-group.com |
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Gebeco (Germany) |
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Grupo Barceló (Spain) Date signed: 16 September 2011, Madrid, Spain Event: 1st International Congress on Ethics and Tourism Signed by: Mr. Rafael Asuar, Director of Regional Operations Photo of the signing: Please click here Website: http://www.barcelo.com |
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Grupo Iberostar (Spain) Date signed: 16 September 2011, Madrid, Spain Event: 1st International Congress on Ethics and Tourism Signed by: Mr. Joan Vargas, Corporate Director of Human Resources and CSR Photo of the signing: Please click here Website: http://www.grupoiberostar.com |
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Hoteles Decameron Ecuador |
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Hoteles Misión (Mexico) Date signed: 24 October 2012, Campeche, Mexico Event: 94th Session of the UNWTO Executive Council (Press Release) Signed by: Mr. Roberto Zapata Llabrés, President of the Council of Administration Photo of the signing: Please click here Website: http://www.hotelesmision.com |
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Iberia (Spain) |
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Mathias Travel (Bahrain) |
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Melia Hotels International (Spain) Date signed: 16 September 2011, Madrid, Spain Event: 1st International Congress on Ethics and Tourism Signed by: Mr. Sebastián Escarrer, Vice-President Photo of the signing: Please click here Website: http://www.solmelia.com |
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NH Hotels (Spain) Date signed: 16 September 2011, Madrid, Spain Event: 1st International Congress on Ethics and Tourism Signed by: Mr. Mariano Pérez Claver, President Photo of the signing: Please click here Website: http://www.nh-hoteles.es |
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Orizonia (Spain) |
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Phoenix Reisen (Germany) Date signed: 17 November 2012, Budva, Montenegro Event: DRV Annual Convention 2012 Signed by: Mr. Johannes Zurnieden, Director Photo of the signing: Please click here Website: http://www.phoenixreisen.com |
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RCI – Latin America & Caribbean (Mexico) |
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REWE Touristik Gesellschaft (Germany) |
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Schauinsland Reisen (Germany) |
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SKR Reisen (Germany) |
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SNAV, les Professionnels du Voyage (France) |
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Studiosus Reisen München (Germany) |
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Thomas Cook AG (Germany) |
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TOBB (The Union of Chambers and Commidity Exchanges of Turkey) |
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Tufenkian Hospitality (Armenia) Date signed: 19 October September 2012, Yerevan, Armenia Event: International Conference on Universal Values and Cultural Diversity in the 21st Century Signed by: Mr. Gegham Hakobyan, Chief Accountant Photo of the signing: Please click here Website: http://www.tufenkianheritage.com |
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TUI AG (Germany) |
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TUIfly (Germany) |
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TÜROFED (Turkish Hoteliers Federation) (Turkey) |
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TÜRSAB (the Association of Turkish Travel Agents) (Turkey) Date signed: 27 March 2013, Çeşme, Turkey Event: 55th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe Signed by: Ms. Günnur Özalp, Secretary General Photo of the signing: Please click here Website: http://www.tursab.org.tr |
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TYD (Turkish Tourism Investors Association) Date signed: 27 March 2013, Çeşme, Turkey Event: 55th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe Signed by: Ms. Günnur Özalp, Secretary General Photo of the signing: Please click here Website: http://www.tursab.org.tr |
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Union of Incoming Tour Operators of Armenia – UITO (Armenia) |
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Windrose Finest Travel (Germany) |
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Zvartnots Armenia International Airports (Armenia) |
See also:
- The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism
- Full text of the Private Sector Commitment to the Code
- Press Release on the signing of the first Commitments by Spanish enterprises (Spain, September 2011)
- Information on the signing of Commitments by companies from Ecuador and Uruguay (Ecuador, September 2012)
- Press Release on the signing of the Commitment by BTW - The Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (Germany, October 2012)
- Information and Press Release on the signing of Commitments by Armenian enterprises (Armenia, October 2012)
- Press Release on the signing of the Commitment by Mexican enterprises (Mexico, October 2012)
- Press Release on the signing of the Commitment by German companies/DRV Members (Montenegro, November 2012)
- Press Release on the signing of the Commitment by ANVR - The Netherlands Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (The Netherlands, January 2013)
- Press Release on the signing of the Commitment by the French Travel Agents Association - SNAV, les Professionnels du Voyage (Spain, February 2013)
For more information on the Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, please contact ethics@unwto.org
