The Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW) has signed the Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, joining the growing number of private sector companies and associations which have pledged to the principles of the Code (Berlin, Germany, 8-9 October).
The signing, held 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, entails the commitment of BTW to
promote and implement the values of responsible and sustainable tourism
development championed by the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics.
“We are pleased that we were able to
sign the Global Code of Ethics in the framework of our Tourism Summit,
one of the largest and most important industry events in Germany. As a
longtime Affiliate Member of UNWTO, the BTW has always been committed to
the principles of the Code. The official signing reinforces, once
again, this attitude”, said BTW President, Klaus Laepple.
“The endorsement of the UNWTO Global
Code of Ethics by the tourism private sector in Germany, one of the
world’s top tourism markets, is essential to further advance the
implementation of the Code,” said UNWTO Executive Director for External
Relations and Partnerships, Márcio Favilla, representing UNWTO at the
ceremony. “Germany has traditionally set an example in the field of
social responsibility and we are very pleased to see this leadership
also in the tourism sector“, he added.
UNWTO initiated in 2011 a campaign to
promote the adherence of private tourism enterprises and associations to
the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. A special focus on social,
cultural and economic issues within the framework of sustainable tourism
is one of the main objectives of the Private Sector Commitment to the
Code. Together with the environmental sustainability components being
increasingly incorporated into businesses operations across the globe,
the Commitment seeks to draw particular attention to issues such as
human rights, social inclusion, gender equality, accessibility, and the
protection of vulnerable groups and host communities.
Note to editors:
The Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW),
a UNWTO Affiliate Member, represents the interests of the tourism
industry in Germany. Its members include more than 40 large companies
and major associations from all sectors of the tourism industry.
Adopted in 1999 by the UNWTO General Assembly and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001, the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism
is a set of principles designed to guide the development of tourism in a
way that maximizes the socio-economic benefits of the sector, while
minimizing any negative impacts.