New meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics to consolidate greater ethics in the sector

25-05-23

The World Committee on Tourism Ethics is an independent and impartial subsidiary body of the UNWTO General Assembly, responsible for the interpretation, application and evaluation of the provisions contained in the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.

The World Committee on Tourism Ethics is currently chaired by Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and composed of titular members Meyada Belal, José Ignacio Besga Zuazola, Luis Fernando Jiménez Guzman, Sue Longley, Lawal Mohammed Marafa, Hiroaki Matsuura, Daniela Otero, Gabriela Tigu and alternate members: Gunnur Diker, Shahid Hamid Fih and Marina Novelli.

Opening the meeting, CMET Chairperson Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka declared: "Yesterday was World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development - what better way to celebrate it than by highlighting the undeniable role of ethical tourism in the promotion of cultural identities and expressions".

UNWTO Executive Director, Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic, added: "This month, the World Health Organisation declared the global health emergency caused by COVID-19 to be over. The tourism sector is on the verge of consolidating its recovery, reaching 80-95% of pre-pandemic figures of international tourist arrivals. This shows that even when the world is facing a global crisis, everything passes, and challenges can be turned into opportunities".

From an ethical perspective, the Committee drew attention to the social impact on tourism employment and migrant workers, worldwide and especially in the Black Sea region, resulting from the current security unrest.

Next steps

With a view to ensuring continuity in the work of the Committee, half of its membership will be renewed every two years. At the 25th UNWTO General Assembly, to be held in October 2023 in Samarkand (Uzbekistan), 4 full members of the CMET are to be appointed. Member States, Associate Members and Affiliate Members of UNWTO may submit nominations of their candidates by 9 June 2023.