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NEW (recent additions to this section; top item is most recent addition)
Intrepid Travel targeted over return to Burma - The Burma Campaign UK today strongly condemned Intrepid Travel for its decision to return to Burma. Intrepid Travel, an Australian travel company with offices in the UK, USA and Canada, pulled out of Burma in 1999 saying it was concerned that its presence was not only benefiting Burma’s dictatorship financially, but also amounted to a tacit approval of the regime. (Burma Campaign UK, 10 Mar. 2003)

Fiji: No Trade Union Rights at Turtle Island Resort -...The IUF-affiliated National Union of Hospitality, Catering and Tourism Industries Employees (NUHCTIE) has repeatedly assisted resort employees seeking union representation, but each time Mr. Evanson has responded by firing union members. (IUF, International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations, 18 Mar. 2003)

Standards & guidelines:

Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (World Tourism Organization, 1999)

WTO statement on the prevention of organized sex tourism (World Tourism Organization, 1995)

Websites:

BEST: Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel (Conference Board)

Burma (Tourism Concern)

Centre for Responsible Tourism

ECPAT: A Global Network to Protect Children against Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Industry Watch: Hospitality (Washington Post)

Pro-Poor Tourism (a collaborative venture of Centre for Responsible Tourism, Overseas Development Institute, and International Institute for Environment and Development)

Sierra Club Conservation Policies: Ecotourism

Tourism (Third World Network)

Tourism and human rights (Tourism Concern)

Tourism Concern

Youth Career Initiative: Empowering and protecting our children -...a business and community partnership with the international hospitality industry to utilise the global resources of the industry and allied partners to enable young people at risk in poor countries to obtain education and training in the tourism sector [initiative of Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum and the International Hotels and Restaurants Association, being launched in South Africa, India, Brasil, Central America, Mexico, and the Carribean] (Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum)

Other materials:

2003:

Fiji: No Trade Union Rights at Turtle Island Resort -...The IUF-affiliated National Union of Hospitality, Catering and Tourism Industries Employees (NUHCTIE) has repeatedly assisted resort employees seeking union representation, but each time Mr. Evanson has responded by firing union members. (IUF, International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations, 18 Mar. 2003)

Intrepid Travel targeted over return to Burma - The Burma Campaign UK today strongly condemned Intrepid Travel for its decision to return to Burma. Intrepid Travel, an Australian travel company with offices in the UK, USA and Canada, pulled out of Burma in 1999 saying it was concerned that its presence was not only benefiting Burma’s dictatorship financially, but also amounted to a tacit approval of the regime. (Burma Campaign UK, 10 Mar. 2003)

100,000 Petition Botswana to Protect Bushmen -...They and their advocates claim that the government--one of the wealthiest in Africa due to Botswana's small population and its huge diamond industry--wants to remove the Bushmen to increase tourism to the Reserve and exploit recently discovered diamond fields. (Jim Lobe, OneWorld US, 16 Feb. 2003)

World Legacy Awards Honor Ecotourism - Three tourism agencies were honored Wednesday with the first ever World Legacy Awards for their emphasis on environmental responsibility and respecting cultural heritage [Wilderness Safaris, for its work in South Africa; ATG Oxford, for its work in Italy; REST - the Responsible Ecological Social Tours Project, for its work in Thailand] (Cat Lazaroff, Environment News Service, 23 Jan. 2003)

2002:

MEXICO: Rainforest Destruction Continues Despite Protection Efforts - Farming and logging during the past three decades in one of Mexico's largest rainforests has reduced the 12,000-square mile Lacandona jungle by two-thirds...One of the conservation program's organizers, who also helped start small-scale ecotourism, said that until local residents find a way out of poverty, sustaining the Lacandona rainforest will be impossible. (UN Wire, 4 Dec. 2002)

World's ecotourism promoters promise dollars, sense (Patrick Chalmers, Reuters, 25 Oct. 2002) 

TOURISM: Marking International Day, U.N. Body Stresses Sustainability (UN Wire, 27 Sep. 2002)

Tourism, NGOs divided on poverty - The historic clash between the tourism industry and non-governmental organisations is set to come to the fore at the World Summit for Sustainable Development...UK-based NGO Tourism Concern...wants the tourism industry to start focusing more on the amount of natural resources it consumes, whether the recent inclusion of services (which include tourism) as part of the World Trade Organisation agenda will truly provide for free and fair trade. Critically, it wants to raise the issue of foreign exchange leakage from developing countries. (Chatrudee Theparat, Bangkok Post, 26 Aug. 2002)

Spotlight on corporates reveals need for global rules - Some corporations continue to abuse the rights of people, destroy the livelihoods of communities, and pollute water and forest resources for future generations, according to a new report by Friends of the Earth International published today. The report graphically illustrates the need for governments to agree to introduce tighter rules for multinationals at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg. (Friends of the Earth, 16 Aug. 2002)

includes section entitled "Towards binding corporate accountability"

also includes the following case studies:

18. Malta: Ax Holdings, Carlson Companies, Regent Hotels (golf course on agricultural land)

13 Companies Earn Perfect Score on First HRC Corporate Equality Index [USA]: Demonstrate Leadership with Regard to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Employees - A total of 13 major U.S. corporations earned 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's first Corporate Equality Index, released today. The index rates large corporations on policies that affect their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors...The 13 companies that scored 100 percent are: Aetna Inc.; AMR Corp./American Airlines; Apple Computer Inc.; Avaya Inc.; Eastman Kodak Co.; Intel Corp.; J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.; Lucent Technologies Inc.; NCR Corp.; Nike Inc.; Replacements Ltd.; Worldspan L.P.; and Xerox Corp...At the other end of the scale, three companies scored zero: CBRL Group Inc./Cracker Barrel; Emerson Electric Co.; and Lockheed Martin Corp. (Human Rights Campaign, 13 Aug. 2002)

Rio + 10 Series: Business Action Addressing Biodiversity is a Rare Species - The Center for Environmental Leadership in Business’ Energy and Biodiversity Initiative represents one of very few business actions that support biodiversity conservation...CELB supports biodiversity initiatives in four sectors: agriculture and fisheries, forestry, energy and mining, and travel and leisure. (William Baue, SocialFunds.com, 9 Aug. 2002)

Citigroup backs sustainable business - Financial services giant Citigroup is encouraging sustainable enterprise in Latin America through its work with the World Resources Institute on the New Ventures initiative. Through a series of competitions open to entrepreneurs across Latin America, a panel of experts selects small and medium sized enterprises whose business ideas promise sustainability while respecting social and environmental factors. Selected companies attend an international investment forum, and can win access to business mentoring services...Entrepreneurial schemes to benefit from the New Ventures initiative include ecotourism operators, and producers of shrimps, charcoal, wood, coffee, and electric vehicles for delivering goods in densely populated cities. One Argentinean firm is dedicated to the sustainable breeding of the guanaco - a wild Patagonian camelid - for its wool. In Brazil, Ouro Fértil...uses coconut fibres to create biodegradable and organic products for sale on the local and international markets. (International Chamber of Commerce, 1 Aug. 2002)

Sustainable Tourism Council created in Brazil - Environmentalists, tourism businessmen, and experts from all over the country met in São Paulo on 28–29 June to officially found the Brazilian Sustainable Tourism Council (WWF, 3 July 2002)

Making Fair Trade Work in Mexico - In Mexico, a growing number of coops, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), microenterprises, and campesino groups are proving that fair trade offers a viable alternative to communities struggling to cope with globalization [refers to initiatives relating to agriculture, food, cosmetics, coffee, ecotourism, chocolate, retail; also refers to indigenous groups] (Talli Nauman, Americas Program, Interhemispheric Resource Center, July 2002)

Tourism must respect environment, Pope says - Pope John Paul said yesterday that humanity was living an "environmental emergency" caused in part by unregulated tourism that had been allowed to rape nature. (Reuters, 26 June 2002)

"Get to Consumers" to Help Save the Environment, Says New Report [by Worldwatch Institute] -...With the help of product labeling--for example, of genetically engineered foods or wood products harvested in a sustainable way--and the use of quality and efficiency standards, consumers now have the choice of more environmentally friendly products. The study describes six "eco-labeling" programs--covering such diverse areas as seafood, domestic appliances, tourism, and coffee--that award a seal of approval to producers who observe standards designed to ensure environmental protection. (Alison Raphael, OneWorld US, 24 June 2002)

UNEP Urges Progress In Tourism Sector And Launches New Industry Sector Reports On Sustainability Performance - The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today urged the travel and tourism sector to apply the principles of sustainability to all aspects of its business operations. (U.N. Environment Programme, 2 June 2002)

ECOTOURISM: UNEP Pleased With Turnout For First-Ever World Summit (UN Wire, 24 May 2002)

ECOTOURISM: First U.N. Summit Opens In Canada - The first World Ecotourism Summit opened yesterday in Quebec, with national, international and industry representatives on hand to seek a balance between conservation and economic development at ecotourism sites. (UN Wire, 20 May 2002)

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: UNEP Blasts Industry "Business As Usual" (UN Wire, 16 May 2002)

Eight "eco-heroes" win global environment prize [Goldman environmental prize] (Andrew Quinn, Reuters, 23 Apr. 2002)

Holidays abroad needn't cost the Earth:...The Holiday Footprinting tool allows a tour operator to estimate the environmental impact of a particular holiday by examining individual components such as flights, waste, and food consumption, and then suggests "scenarios" for impact reduction. (WWF, 2 Apr. 2002)

{···español} Turismo Responsable: una visión homeostática (Jesus M. Delgado, EcoPortal.net, 19 marzo 2002)

The Road to Johannesburg: Will Sustainability Be the Coming Norm or a Passing Fad in Travel? In anticipation of next year's World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, the travel and tourism industry is taking stock of what it has accomplished since the Rio summit. What can the industry report in Johannesburg? [refers to companies taking steps to protect environment, including Nepal Electric Vehicle Industry Ltd. in Nepal, Punta Cana Resort and Club in Dominican Republic, Borneo Eco Tours in Malaysia] (Michael Seltzer, BEST - Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel, Conference Board, 28 Feb. 2002)

Women workers urged to unionize: Indonesian women employed in the transport and tourism field should form their own union to put an end to widespread gender discrimination in the workplace, an activist said. (Jakarta Post, 25 Feb. 2002) 

The truth behind the International Year of Ecotourism - With 2002 being designated the International Year of Ecotourism (IYE), we expose the real agenda behind all the high-minded claims and glossy pictures...Ever since it was conceived, the IYE has been aggressively marketed as a celebration of ecotourism’s role in facilitating sustainable development. However, many critics have responded that a celebratory tone is inappropriate, given the growing evidence of failed projects, disrupted communities and ecosystems, and greenwashing under the guise of ecotourism (Luis Vivanco, Ecologist, 22 Feb. 2002)

Ecotourists Urged to Walk Lightly on the Earth: The fast growing ecotourism industry might have "devastating consequences" if not managed properly, a top United Nations official said Monday as the UN launched the International Year of Ecotourism (Environment News Service, 29 Jan. 2002)

ECOTOURISM: U.N. Launches Int'l Year To Promote Responsible Travel - The United Nations yesterday launched the International Year of Ecotourism to promote awareness about tourism's effects on the environment and cultural heritage sites and the concept of responsible travel. (UN Wire, 29 Jan. 2002)

Mountain Ecosystems Endangered: War, exploitation and pollution threaten freshwater source for half of world's population -...Climate change, pollution, armed conflict, population growth, deforestation and exploitative agricultural, mining and tourism practices are among a growing list of problems confronting the "water towers of the world," prompting warnings that catastrophic flooding, landslides, avalanches, fires and famines will become more frequent (United Nations University, 27 Jan. 2002)

Pioneering Conservation And Tourism Project Wins Innovative Private Sector Backing: New funding helps kick-start International Year of Ecotourism - The goal of developing sustainable tourism in some of the world's most beautiful, yet fragile natural environments received a major boost today...Aveda, the global cosmetics company, has agreed to give US $500,000 to the project that is jointly managed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), ...UNESCO and RARE Center for Tropical Conservation. (U.N. Environment Programme, 24 Jan. 2002) 

Honduras looks to develop northern coast; Garifuna fight to keep beaches (Traci Carl, Associated Press, Environmental News Network website, 2 Jan. 2002)

Disneyland or diveristy? Wendy Brewer Lama and Nikhat Sattar describe how serious impacts on mountain biological and cultural diversity by the world’s fastest growing industry is causing growing interest in ecotourism (Wendy Brewer Lama & Nikhat Sattar, in Our Planet, published by U.N. Environment Programme, 2002)

2001:

Governments urged to extend laws against child abuse by tourists: The World Tourism Organization (WTO) and IATA have urged more governments to introduce and widen legislation against tourists accused of sexually abusing children. (World Tourism Organization, 21 Dec. 2001)

An important partner: the private sector - What does the private sector have to do with commercial sexual exploitation of children? Whether by commission or omission, the private sector is involved in the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). Three sub-sectors within the realm of private enterprise have traditionally featured in the discussion on CSEC: the travel and tourism industries; the media industries; and those related to new technologies. (background paper for 2nd World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children - Yokohama, Japan, 17-20 December 2001)

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION: UNICEF Head Calls Practice "Terrorism" [opening session of Second World Congress Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children]:...Queen Silvia of Sweden...highlighted...increased efforts by the private sector, including travel, tourism and information companies. She cited efforts by some airlines that run movies on flights to alert passengers to the problem and some tour companies that have instituted codes of conduct. (UN Wire, 17 Dec. 2001) 

Tourist Explosion Strains World's Resources: The heavy load international travelers are placing on the world's tourist spots is becoming unbearable, according to a new report [by Worldwatch Institute] urging action by the tourism industry and governments to protect people, natural environments, and cultural heritage sites from further destruction. (Alison Raphael, OneWorld US, 13 Dec. 2001)

NICARAGUA: Pornography, Sex Tourism Harm Country's Youth, NGOs Say - Child rights activists in Nicaragua have said the country's children are increasingly becoming victims of Internet-based child pornography, sex tourism along the country's borders and prostitution in the country's ports...Save the Children Alliance representative Coleen Littlejohn said the tourism industry can take measures to combat sex tourism, including publicizing the problem to hotel and bar workers. (UN Wire, 7 Dec. 2001)

UNEP Manual for the International Year of Ecotourism (United Nations Environment Programme, 5 Nov. 2001)

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION: Arab, African Countries Look To Protect Children - Two hundred fifty delegates from 40 Arab and African countries on Friday called on governments to ratify and implement relevant U.N. conventions and take various other measures against child sexual exploitation. At the end of a three-day meeting in Rabat, Morocco, participants issued a declaration asking countries to create national anti-sexual exploitation programs and monitoring systems, improve policing of sexual tourism and pornography...They also called on countries to intensify their partnerships with the United Nations and other international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, national legislatures and the private sector. (UN Wire, 30 Oct. 2001)

WRI [World Resource Institute] Recognizes Eco-Friendly Enterprises: New Ventures program aims to bring together socially responsible venture capitalists with environment-friendly businesses looking to expand. Three enterprises won a competition sponsored by World Resource Institute (WRI)’s New Ventures program at its 2001 Investment Forum in Angra dos Reos, Brazil October 4-5. The award recognizes profitability coupled with environmentally sound practices. Of the nine contenders this year, the three winners are: Vehizero, an urban delivery vehicle provider that brings low-cost, environment-friendly hybrid electricity vehicles to the Mexican market; Rainforest Expeditions, an ecotourism outfit that is expanding to build an eco-lodge in Peru’s Sacred Valley, promising conservation assistance and community development there; and GE Forestal, a Peruvian forestry company that brings certified lumber and wood products to the international market while also investing in innovative reforestation techniques. (Susan Wennemyr, SocialFunds.com, 19 Oct. 2001)

Peru's rainforest natives pin future on ecotourism (Simon Gardner, Reuters, 10 Oct. 2001)

Promoting sustainable tourism in the Caribbean: The participation of social partners in all regional and national bodies involved in sustainable tourism, the strengthening of Labour ministries to implement and enforce health and safety regulations relating to tourism and the promotion of key ILO standards and the concept of Decent Work in that industry, were among the key recommendations made last month (September 2001) at an ILO-sub regional seminar on the promotion of sustainable tourism in the Caribbean...Increased pollution, coastal zone degradation, freshwater shortages and loss of bio-diversity were all threatening the nature of the industry as a result of mass tourism and an unsustainable approach. (Human.Rights@Work: A monthly newsletter produced by the ILO Bureau for Workers' Activities, International Labour Organization, 9 Oct. 2001)

TOURISM: U.N. Organization Approves Creation Of Watchdog Body - The World Tourism Organization yesterday approved creation of a watchdog committee to ensure that member countries observe a code of conduct...The role of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics will be to monitor implementation of the organization's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. The code promotes tourism that is respectful of all people, cultures and the environment. (UN Wire, 28 Sep. 2001)

Forest Peoples Seek Compensation: Forest dwellers from seven African countries this week appealed for compensation for livelihoods compromised by government activities, and for vindication of their human rights, AFP news agency reported. Meeting in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, from 3-6 September, representatives of the Twa of Rwanda, the DRC and Uganda; the Ogieks of Kenya, the Maasai of Tanzania; the Bushmen of South Africa; and the Baka Bagyeli of Cameroon, paid particular attention to the plight of indigenous peoples living in, or displaced from, protected areas in their countries. (UN Integrated Regional Information Network, 8 Sep. 2001)

Jamaica: Deforestation linked to mining, agriculture and tourism (WRM Bulletin, World Rainforest Movement, Sep. 2001)

Resort nation of Maldives looks to eco-tourism: The resort nation of the Maldives, critical of other countries for being lax on global warming, is working hard to ensure its own practices are environmentally friendly. (Scott McDonald, Reuters, 16 July 2001)

Thai Government, Airline Urged To Fight Sex Tourism (UN Wire, 3 July 2001)

CLIMATE CHANGE: IPCC Chair Slams Bush Position - Global climate change is real, people are to blame for it and developing countries are its first victims, according to Bob Watson, World Bank chief scientist and chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UN Wire, 15 June 2001)

Seeking socially responsible tourism: ...the negative social and environmental impact of this mass tourism is being assessed, and a growing number of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are calling on the tourism industry leadership - and vacationers as well - to adopt a more responsible attitude. (World of Work - The Magazine of the ILO, June 2001)

Tourism (briefing paper for World Summit on Sustainable Development, published by IIED [International Institute for Environment and Development] and RING [Regional and International Networking Group], June 2001)

Turtle Rescue Team Among 18 Individuals And Organizations Honoured On World Environment Day 2001: [see section entitled "Responsible Tourism": Lindblad Expeditions, eco-tourism company, is among winners of UNEP environmental award] (United Nations Environment Programme, 29 May 2001)

Australia ignores global warming threat: Despite its reliance on tourism and agriculture, Australia is one of the world's worst polluters and supported the US dismantling of Kyoto, writes Patrick Barkham (Patrick Barkham, Guardian [UK], 30 Apr. 2001)

Conference Board's BEST [Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel] Recognizes CC Africa [Conservation Corporation Africa] for Extensive Community Development Efforts: Eco-Luxury Safari Lodge Operator Subject of Latest 'Best Practices' Report (Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel, 26 Apr. 2001)

Pro-Poor Tourism Strategies: Making Tourism Work For The Poor - A review of experience (Caroline Ashley, Dilys Roe, Harold Goodwin; Centre for Responsible Tourism, Overseas Development Institute, and International Institute for Environment and Development, Apr. 2001)

Destruction of the Mediterranean by mass tourism poses a challenge for industry, warns WWF (World Wildlife Fund, 1 Mar. 2001)

When business and conservation join forces: Eco-alliance formed to develop, manage Pico Bonito Park [Honduras] (Jon Kohl, Honduras This Week, 12 Feb. 2001)

2000:

Malaysia: Environment - Forest of Contradictions: Eco-tourism is touted as offering the best hope for saving Sabah's rich habitats.  So far, though, it's done little to halt the pressure on wildlife.  But even if it did, is it really sustainable over the long term? (Simon Elegant, Far Eastern Economic Review, 14 Sep. 2000)

Pro-poor Tourism: Putting poverty at the heart of the tourism agenda (Caroline Ashley, Charlotte Boyd and Harold Goodwin, Overseas Development Institute, Natural Resource perspectives, no. 51, Mar. 2000)

1999:

Balancing the costs and benefits of tourism (Danielle Knight, Indian Express, 9 May 1999)

Workers and Trade Unions in the Web of Tourism (International Labour Organization, Apr. 1999)

Tourism, globalisation and sustainable development (Anita Pleumarom, Tourism Investigation & Monitoring Team [Bangkok], Third World Network, Mar. 1999)

"Wish You Wouldn't Go There" (interview of John Jackson, Burma Campaign [UK], in The Irrawaddy, vol. 7, no. 3, Mar. 1999)

1998:

"Amazing Lambi" (The Irrawaddy, vol. 6. no. 4, Aug. 1998)