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The Responsible Tourist and Traveler
Dear Traveler,
The “Responsible Tourist and Traveler” is a practical guide to help you make your trip an
enriching experience. The advice is based on the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism of
the World Tourism Organization.
The Responsible Tourist and Traveler
Travel and tourism should be planned and practiced as a means of individual and
collective fulfillment. When practiced with an open mind, it is an irreplaceable factor of
self education, mutual tolerance and for learning about the legitimate differences
between peoples and cultures and their diversity. Everyone has a role to play creating
responsible travel and tourism. Governments, business and communities must do all
they can, but as a guest you can support this in many ways to make a difference:
- Open your mind to other cultures and traditions – it will transform your
experience, you will earn respect and be more readily welcomed by local
people. Be tolerant and respect diversity – observe social and cultural
traditions and practices.
- . Respect human rights. Exploitation in any form conflicts with the fundamental
aims of tourism. The sexual exploitation of children is a crime punishable in
the destination or at the offender’s home country.
- Help preserve natural environments. Protect wildlife and habitats and do not
purchase products made from endangered plants or animals
- Respect cultural resources. Activities should be conducted with respect for
the artistic, archaeological and cultural heritage.
- Your trip can contribute to economic and social development. Purchase local
handicrafts and products to support the local economy using the principles of
fair trade. Bargaining for goods should reflect an understanding of a fair
wage.
- Inform yourself about the destination’s current health situation and access to
emergency and consular services prior to departure and be assured that your
health and personal security will not be compromised. Make sure that your
specific requirements (diet, accessibility, medical care) can be fulfilled before
you decide to travel this destination.
- Learn as much as possible about your destination and take time to
understand the customs, norms and traditions. Avoid behavior that could
offend the local population.
- Familiarize yourself with the laws so that you do not commit any act
considered criminal by the law of the country visited. Refrain from all
trafficking in illicit drugs, arms, antiques, protected species and products or
substances that are dangerous or prohibited by national regulations.
- When traveling, tourists and visitors should not commit any criminal act
or any act considered criminal by the laws of the country visited and
abstain from any conduct felt to be offensive or injurious by the local
populations, or likely to damage the local environment; they should
refrain from all trafficking in illicit drugs, arms, antiques, protected
species and products and substances that are dangerous or prohibited
by national regulations.
- Tourists and visitors have the responsibility to acquaint themselves,
even before their departure, with the characteristics of the countries
they are preparing to visit; they must be aware of the health and
security risks inherent in any travel outside their usual environment and
behave in such a way as to minimize those risks.
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