Championing ethics in tourism an uphill battle

WHILE recognising the good foresight of the UNWTO’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (TTG Asia e-Daily, June 13), tourism stakeholders attending the recent 10th World Committee on Tourism Ethnics (WCTE) session in Bali believe that implementing the code in the private sector will not be plain sailing.

Stuppa Indonesia executive director, Wiendu Nuryanti, said: “The code of ethics may apply universally, but the effective implementation is easier said than done. How do we encourage the industry to adopt these guidelines?”

Brunei Darussalam director of tourism, Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, was another who questioned whether the UNWTO would have the authority to enforce the code across the board.

Floressa Wisata Bali president director, Paul Edmundus, meanwhile, was unsure whom should be tasked to deal with unethical practices by foreign investors who violate the guidelines.

UNWTO secretary general, Taleb Rifai, said: “The codes are implemented voluntarily by the member countries. The regulation and enforcement of the guidelines will take place at the individual country’s government level.”

Rifai added that the WCTE’s role was to convince the tourism industry that they would get better business through successful implementation of the code.

WCTE executive member, I Gede Ardika, said: “It is through dialogue with the industry that will we be able to accelerate the implementation (process).”

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