The United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Jorge Sampaio, the Vice President of the European Commission, Antonio Tajani, and the Ministers of Tourism of Ecuador, Italy, South Africa and Tanzania are among the speakers of the First International Congress on Ethics and Tourism (Madrid, Spain, 15-16 September). The Congress will be officially closed by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias.

The Congress, which will address some of the most pressing ethical issues currently facing the tourism sector, aims to evaluate the way forward for a more ethical and responsible tourism sector and secure renewed commitment to the principles of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.  

Former President of Portugal and UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Jorge Sampaio, will deliver the keynote address at the Congress, paving the way for two days of debates on the relationship between ethics and tourism, focusing on issues such as sustainability, gender equality, tourism’s contribution to poverty alleviation and corporate social responsibility.

Confirmed participants include the Ministers of Tourism of Ecuador, Italy, South Africa and Tanzania; leading tourism companies, including the Vice President of Meliá Hotels International, Sebastián Escarrer; representatives from UN Women, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Global Compact; and organizations at the forefront of ethical tourism, including the Executive Director of ECPAT International, a global network for the elimination of child prostitution, child pornography and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes.  

Organized by UNWTO and the Spanish General Secretariat of Tourism and Domestic Trade, the Congress will count on the presence of UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Commerce of Spain, Miguel Sebastián and Secretary-General of Tourism and Domestic Trade of Spain, Joan Mesquida.

EFE news agency and BBC World News are media partners of the Congress and BBC presenter, David Eades, will host the event.   

Note to editors:

A frame of reference for responsible and sustainable tourism, the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is a comprehensive set of principles designed to guide key-players in tourism development. Addressed to governments, the tourism sector, communities and tourists alike, it aims to help maximize the sector’s benefits while minimizing its potentially negative impact on the environment, cultural heritage and societies across the globe. Adopted in 1999 by the UNWTO General Assembly, the Code of Ethics was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2001.

The First International Congress on Ethics and Tourism is being organized by UNWTO and the Spanish General Secretariat of Tourism and Domestic Trade, with the support and participation of: the European Commission, SEGITTUR (Spanish Cooperation for the Management of Innovation and Technology in Tourism), the Madrid Tourist Board, the Reina Sofia Museum, Iberia, Qatar Airlines, Mélia Hotels International and the Banesto Foundation.