World Committee on Tourism Ethics

Objective

The World Committee on Tourism Ethics was established in 2004, as an independent and impartial body made up of eminent personalities of high moral character and recognized competence. The tasks assigned to the Committee are threefold:

(a) Promotion and dissemination of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism;
(b) Evaluation and monitoring of the implementation of the Code of Ethics; and
(c) Conciliation for the settlement of differences concerning the application or interpretation 
     of the Code.

As a subsidiary organ of the UNWTO General Assembly, the Committee reports directly to the Assembly. Members are elected in their personal capacities and not as officials of governments or representatives of their countries.

Members for 2012 - 2013

The members of the World Committee for the 2012-2013 period were were elected by the UNWTO Regional Commissions and the UNWTO  Affiliate Members, and endorsed by the UNWTO General Assembly at its 19th session in October 2011. The previous Members of the Committee for 2007-2011 were endorsed by the General Assembly at its 17th session in November 2007.

The Chairman of the Committee was elected by the members of the World Committee, upon proposal of the UNWTO Secretary-General, on the occasion its sixth meeting held in Madrid, Spain, on 13 and 14 March 2008.

Members of the current World Committee on Tourism Ethics (2012-2013)

Members of the previous World Committee on Tourism Ethics (2009-2011)

Members of the previous World Committee on Tourism Ethics (2004-2007)

Meetings

10th meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics
Bali, Indonesia, 13-14 June 2011
Committee meeting and Seminar on Tourism Ethics for Asia and the Pacific

Held in parallel with the first UNWTO Seminar on Tourism Ethics for Asia and the Pacific: Responsible Tourism and its Socio-Economic Impact on Local Communities, the 10th meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics took place in Bali, Indonesia. Members discussed such topics as the protection of tourists/consumers and travel organizers, the impact of recent events in the Middle East and North Africa on tourism, human rights and tourism, the voice of civil society in tourism planning and management processes, the economic empowerment of women, and the protection of children, through tourism, and tourism accessibility. Full release

 9th meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics
Luxor, Egypt, 15-16 April 2010
More Action Needed on Tourism Ethics

More action must be taken to foster ethical tourism through reducing unnecessary travel restrictions, showing solidarity in times of crises and understanding that ethical behaviour and good customer service go hand in hand. This is the main message to emerge from the meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics in Luxor in April 2010. Full release

8th meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics
San José, Costa Rica, 18-19 June 2009
Ethical Challenges Posed by the Economic Crisis are Cause of Deep Concern

Given the present economic crisis, it is particularly important to implement the ethical principles stated in the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. This is the main message to emerge from the recent meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics in San José, Costa Rica, on the 18th and 19th of June 2009. Full release

7th meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics & Inauguration of the Permanent Secretariat in Rome
Rome, Italy, 14-15 November 2008
Inauguration of the Permanent Secretariat of the Committee in Rome

The World Committee on Tourism Ethics inaugurated its Permanent Secretariat on the occasion of its seventh meeting (Rome, 14-15 November 2008). The Secretariat will provide technical and expert support to the World Committee on Tourism Ethics, in particular, promoting and disseminating UNWTO’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. Full release

6th meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics
Madrid, Spain, 13-14 March 2008
Highlighting the significance of responsible tourism

The Members of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics underscored the importance of promoting values that form the foundation of sound, responsible and sustainable tourism, while avoiding potential damages of “opportunistic and unguided forms of tourism”. Full release

5th meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics
Funchal, Madeira, 15-16 June 2007
Promotion and implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

Following the invitation of the Regional Government of Madeira, the Fifth meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics (WCTE) was held in Funchal, Madeira, on 15 and 16 June 2007. Full release

4th meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics
Bangalore, India, 2-3 June 2006
Importance of Ethics Committee grows with booming Tourism

There is a growing importance of the work of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics in ensuring high quality practices within the tourism sector in the light of the impressive growth of this industry and its impact on the life of the people, stressed the UNWTO Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Taleb Rifai, in his opening remarks at the recently concluded, fourth meeting of the Committee. Full release

3rd meeting of the World Committe on Tourism Ethics
Tunis, Tunisia, 16-17 May 2005
Committee monitors implementation of the Code of Ethics

The World Committee on Tourism Ethics met in Tunis on 16-17 May 2005 under the chairmanship of Mr. Diego Cordovez and examined the first four disputes received from individual applications. Full release

2nd meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics
Madrid, Spain, 4-5 October 2004
World Committee on Tourism Ethics approves a mechanism for conciliation of disputes

The World Committee on Tourism Ethics moved decisively on the way to empowering the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism by adopting procedures for conciliation of disputes as they may arise with regard to its application or interpretation. Full release

1st meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics
Rome, Italy, 25-26 February 2004
A milestone for implementation of the Global Code of Ethics 

The World Committee on Tourism Ethics held its first meeting in Rome last week by kind invitation of the Italian Government, and elected its Chairman, Mr. Diego Cordovez. The session was considered to be "a milestone for implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism". Full release

Dispute Settlement

Procedures for consultation and conciliation for the settlement of disputes concerning the application of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

• Download the text of procedures
• Download brochure of procedures
• Download the Guidelines for the consideration of disputes (as a complement to the procedures)

Guidelines on Ethical Issues

• Guidelines on Press Trips

General Assembly Resolutions and Reports

For UNWTO General Assembly Resolutions and Reports related to the World Committee, see:

• Resolutions on the World Committee of Tourism Ethics
• Reports on the Activities of the World Committee of Tourism Ethics