BY: JOON LEE, KOREA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Place your hand on your chest, and ask yourself, “Did I do anything wrong on this trip?’ But what is “wrong”? And who decides? The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism(GCET), according to Ethnics in Tourism, is a comprehensive set of principles whose purpose is to guide stakeholders in tourism development: central and local governments, local communities, the tourism industry and its professionals, as well as visitors, both international and domestic.
Now allow me to briefly introduce you to the ten articles.
Article 1: “When traveling, tourists and visitors should not commit any criminal act or any act considered criminal by the laws of the country visited…”
Do NOT call Napoleon a pig in France.
Do NOT drive drunk in San Salvador because an offender may be punished by death before a firing squad.
Do NOT go out in public without wearing underwear in Thailand.
You probably laugh at these laws but I can assure you that you would not be laughing if you were fined, imprisoned, or executed.
Article 2: “Tourism should respect the equality of men and women” and “Tourism should promote human rights .”
Person A: “Only females are allowed in this tour site!”
Person B: “What in the world did you just say?! Did you read Article 2 of the GCET?!”
Person A: “Uhh. No”
Article 3:“All stakeholders in tourism development should safeguard the natural environment with a view to achieving sound, continuous and sustainable economic growth…”
Let’s say Country A is building the fastest train in the world to attract tourists, but the train emits highly toxic smoke. This is not acceptable according to Article 3.
Article 4: “Tourism resources belong to the common heritage of mankind…”
Person A: “The pyramid is mine!”
Person B: “No it’s not! It belongs to everyone!”
Article 5: “Tourism policies should be applied in such a way as to help raise the standard of living of the populations of the regions visited…”
Person A: “Ahh, I lost all my money playing Poker in Country A.”
Person B: “Did you not hear the saying: ‘What is lost in Vegas, stays in Vegas?’ At least your money benefits the citizens of Country A. Be optimistic!”
Article 6: “Governments have the right– and the duty – especially in a crisis, to inform their nationals of the difficult circumstances, or even the dangers they may encounter during their travels abroad; it is their responsibility however to issue such information without prejudicing in an unjustified or exaggerated manner…”
Government official of Country A: There is a flu in Country B. All tourists are encouraged to take vaccinations.”
Article 7: Everyone has the equal opportunity to enjoy touring around the world.
Son: “Mom, I am going on a trip to Japan with my friends!”
Mom: “NO! You can not go!”
Son: “Mom, did you not read the Article 7 of GCET?! Everyone has the equal opportunity to enjoy touring! You can not deprive me of my rights.”
Mom: “Fine… you can go.”
Article 8: “Tourists and visitors should benefit from the same rights as the citizens of the country visited concerning the confidentiality of personal data.”
Person A “ What is Person B’s GPA?”
Government Official: “1.0. Oops. I wasn’t supposed to tell you that!
Article 9: “ The fundamental rights of salaried and self-employed workers in the tourism industry and related activities, should be guaranteed under the supervision of the national and local administrations, both of their States of origin and of the host countries with particular care…”
Entrepreneur A: “I am going to set up a lemonade stand in Heathrow Airport because it has the most tourists using the airport! I am going to be rich!”
Article 10: “The public and private stakeholder in tourism development should cooperate in the implementation of the principles and monitor their effective applications.”
Entrepreneur A: “Our company wants to build a resort on this beach.”
Government: “Yes, you can build it as long as you build a sewage system to prevent the water from getting polluted.”
Always remember that GCET applies to everyone, both the travelers and the locals. Whenever you are traveling, never forget the fact that you are representing your country. Thus, to make everyone’s trip safe and happy, follow the guidelines set by the World Tourism Organization.
Place your hand on your chest, and ask yourself, “Did I do anything wrong on this trip?’ But what is “wrong”? And who decides? The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism(GCET), according to Ethnics in Tourism, is a comprehensive set of principles whose purpose is to guide stakeholders in tourism development: central and local governments, local communities, the tourism industry and its professionals, as well as visitors, both international and domestic.
Now allow me to briefly introduce you to the ten articles.
Article 1: “When traveling, tourists and visitors should not commit any criminal act or any act considered criminal by the laws of the country visited…”
Do NOT call Napoleon a pig in France.
Do NOT drive drunk in San Salvador because an offender may be punished by death before a firing squad.
Do NOT go out in public without wearing underwear in Thailand.
You probably laugh at these laws but I can assure you that you would not be laughing if you were fined, imprisoned, or executed.
Article 2: “Tourism should respect the equality of men and women” and “Tourism should promote human rights .”
Person A: “Only females are allowed in this tour site!”
Person B: “What in the world did you just say?! Did you read Article 2 of the GCET?!”
Person A: “Uhh. No”
Article 3:“All stakeholders in tourism development should safeguard the natural environment with a view to achieving sound, continuous and sustainable economic growth…”
Let’s say Country A is building the fastest train in the world to attract tourists, but the train emits highly toxic smoke. This is not acceptable according to Article 3.
Article 4: “Tourism resources belong to the common heritage of mankind…”
Person A: “The pyramid is mine!”
Person B: “No it’s not! It belongs to everyone!”
Article 5: “Tourism policies should be applied in such a way as to help raise the standard of living of the populations of the regions visited…”
Person A: “Ahh, I lost all my money playing Poker in Country A.”
Person B: “Did you not hear the saying: ‘What is lost in Vegas, stays in Vegas?’ At least your money benefits the citizens of Country A. Be optimistic!”
Article 6: “Governments have the right– and the duty – especially in a crisis, to inform their nationals of the difficult circumstances, or even the dangers they may encounter during their travels abroad; it is their responsibility however to issue such information without prejudicing in an unjustified or exaggerated manner…”
Government official of Country A: There is a flu in Country B. All tourists are encouraged to take vaccinations.”
Article 7: Everyone has the equal opportunity to enjoy touring around the world.
Son: “Mom, I am going on a trip to Japan with my friends!”
Mom: “NO! You can not go!”
Son: “Mom, did you not read the Article 7 of GCET?! Everyone has the equal opportunity to enjoy touring! You can not deprive me of my rights.”
Mom: “Fine… you can go.”
Article 8: “Tourists and visitors should benefit from the same rights as the citizens of the country visited concerning the confidentiality of personal data.”
Person A “ What is Person B’s GPA?”
Government Official: “1.0. Oops. I wasn’t supposed to tell you that!
Article 9: “ The fundamental rights of salaried and self-employed workers in the tourism industry and related activities, should be guaranteed under the supervision of the national and local administrations, both of their States of origin and of the host countries with particular care…”
Entrepreneur A: “I am going to set up a lemonade stand in Heathrow Airport because it has the most tourists using the airport! I am going to be rich!”
Article 10: “The public and private stakeholder in tourism development should cooperate in the implementation of the principles and monitor their effective applications.”
Entrepreneur A: “Our company wants to build a resort on this beach.”
Government: “Yes, you can build it as long as you build a sewage system to prevent the water from getting polluted.”
Always remember that GCET applies to everyone, both the travelers and the locals. Whenever you are traveling, never forget the fact that you are representing your country. Thus, to make everyone’s trip safe and happy, follow the guidelines set by the World Tourism Organization.
1 comment:
Being held for the first time in Asia, the two day conference prepared draft implementation parameters for global code of ethics and tourism, and deliberated on contentious issues such as tourist safety and security, over booking and media ethics.
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