Responsible Tourism and Business Ethics

-B.V.Raghunandan, SVS College, Bantwal

MES College, PonnaniFebruary 9, 2010

Tourism Industry

• Globally growing industry• HR Intensive• Deep Impact• Property development connected• Tied with wellness, sports and

religion• Tax Avoidance and tax havens• Seasonal and unstable

Areas of Serious Concern

• Alien Culture• Racial Slavery• Environmental Concerns• Civil Construction• Sexual Exploitation• Haven for Terrorists• Gang Wars and Mafias• Corporate Excesses

Cape Town Conference in 2002-Responsible Tourism

• Minimising negative economic, environmental and social impact

• Causing bigger economic benefit to local people• Involving local people in decision-making• Better interaction between local people and

tourists• Building local pride and confidence and

sensitising guest and host culturally

Principles of Responsible Tourism

• Making economic choice between tourism and the alternative

• Maximising Economic benefit to Local People• Developing quality tourism products• Marketing tuned to natural, cultural and social integrity• Adopting equitable business practices including HR

practices• Supporting small and micro industries• Assessing environmental impact• Promoting education for sustainable development and

Preserving bio-diversity

General Assembly of WTO and Global Code of Ethics

• Article 1: Mutual Respect between Peoples and Societies• Article 2: Tourism for Individual and Collective Fulfilment• Article 3: Sustainable Development• Article 4: Preservation of Cultural Heritage• Article 5:Beneficial activity for Host Countries and

Communities• Article 6: Obligations of stakeholders in Tourism Development• Article 7: Right to Tourism • Article 8: Liberty of Tourist Movements• Article 9: Rights of the Workers in the Tourism Industry• Article 10: Implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for

Tourism

Article 1: Mutual Respect between Peoples and Societies

• Promotion of Ethical Values common to humanity• Harmony with traditions of Host Regions• Exposure of Local Population to Tourists and their

expectations• Local Authorities providing protection to the tourists• Tourists prevented from engaging in Criminal

Activities• Awareness of Tourists of the Health & Security Risks

Article 2: Tourism for Individual and Collective Fulfilment

• Learning differences between Peoples, Cultures and their Diversity

• Respecting Equality of all Human Beings• Penalising Sexual Exploitation• Religious, Health, Education,

Cultural/Linguistic Exchanges• Developing Curricula for Tourism

Exchanges

Article 3: Sustainable Development

• Safeguarding Natural Environment• Conserving Precious Resources including

Water and Energy• Staggering Tourist Flows in Space and Time• Protecting Ecosystem and Bio-Diversity• Eco-tourism on the Basis of Carrying Capacity

of the Sites

Article 4: Preservation of Cultural Heritage

• Recognising the Heritage of Local Communities regarding Tourism Resources

• Respect to Artistic, Archeological and Cultural Heritage

• Financial Resources Used for Maintenance of Sites and Monuments

• Encouraging Survival of Traditional Cultural Products, Crafts and Folklore

Article 5:Beneficial activity for Host Countries and Communities

• Direct and Indirect Employment to Local Population

• Increasing the Standard of Living of the Local Population

• Addressing Problems of Coastal Areas and Island Territories

• Regulations to Govern Tourist Professionals

Article 6: Obligations of stakeholders in Tourism Development

• Providing Honest Information to the Touriists• Showing Concern for Security and Safety of the

Tourists• Allowing the Tourists to Practice their Religion• Repatriation of Tourists by Government in case

of bankruptcy of Tour Operators• Governments’ Duty to Inform their National of

Dangers of Tourism• Media Issuing Honest Information

Article 7: Right to Tourism

• Removing Obstacles in the Development of Tourism

• Right to Rest and Leisure by Limiting the Working Hours and Ensuring Periodic Holidays with Pay

• Developing Social Tourism by Public Authorities

• Encouraging Tourism for People with Disabilities

Article 8: Liberty of Tourist Movements

• Liberty to Move within the Country• Access to Communication, Administrative,

Health and Legal Services• Confidentiality of Personal Data like the

Citizens of the Country• Adapting Administrative Procedures for

Border Crossing• Access to Allowances of Convertible

Currencies

Article 9: Rights of the Workers in the Tourism Industry

• Guarantee of Fundamental Rights of Salaried and Self-Employed Workers in the Tourism Industry

• Imparting Training and Limiting the Job Insecurity as Far as Possible

• SMME should Have Free Access to the Tourism Industry

• MNCs should Involve in the Local Development

Article 10: Implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

• Co-operation between Private and Public Stake-holders

• Recognition of Role of International Organisations by the Stakeholders

• Referring Disputes to World Committee on Tourism Ethics

An Agenda for Implementation

• Local Authorities in Tourist Destinations made Powerful to Maintain the local Law and Order

• IT Absorption by Local Authorities for Recording and Sharing Information about the Tourists

• Local Services should be Outsourced by National and International Tourist Operators

• Prevention of Corporate Form of Tourist Operators in the Locality

• Restricted Development of Properties

Agenda……….. Continues

• Special Status to Tourist Hotspots• Ownership of Land only by the Locals• Trade, Business and Industry only to the Locals• Governing Permanent Immigration• National Population Register to be taken up on

Priority in the Tourist Areas• Societal Concept as the Marketing Model for

all Tourist Operations

THANK YOU