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Convention on Tourism Ethics -FAQ
General Questions
The English text of the Convention was approved by UN Tourism General Assembly, by Resolution A/RES/707(XXII), in September 2017, and the Convention, in all five official languages of the Organization, was officially adopted by the 23rd session of the General Assembly, by Resolution A/RES/722(XXIII). States are now invited to decide whether to sign and ratify this international instrument therewith committing themselves to formulating policies consistent with the Ethical Principles in Tourism spelled out in the Convention.
The approval of the Convention on Tourism Ethics was particularly timely since 2017 was declared by the UN General Assembly the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. The Convention further attests to the special role of tourism in the implementation of all the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals, specially contributing to the promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic growth (Goal 8), responsible consumption and production (Goal 12) and the sustainable use of maritime resources (Goal 14).Shortly after the 21st General Assembly decided that the Code of Ethics should be converted to a convention and requested the Secretariat to start preparations to this effect, a Working Group was set up to undertake the drafting exercise. All UN Tourism Member States were invited to be part of the Working Group.
The Working Group was finally composed by representatives of 36 Member States, assisted by the Secretariat, and held five meetings. The Chairman of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics participated in all meetings of the Working Group. The final draft of the Convention was circulated to all Member States in June 2017 for their comments and transmitted to the General Assembly for consideration and possible adoption. Amendments from Member States were received in August 2017 and the Working Group discussed whether the proposed amendments should be incorporated to the text.The 22nd General Assembly established an ad hoc Committee that took the final decision regarding the proposed amendments, taking into account the recommendations of the Working Group.
- Formulate policies that are consistent with the principles mentioned above.
- Encourage tourism enterprises and bodies to reflect those principles in their contractual instruments.
- Periodically submit a report to the World Committee on Tourism Ethics concerning the compliance with these obligations.
Becoming a party to the Convention
The Framework Convention, in all five official languages of the Organization, was officially adopted by the 23rd session of the General Assembly. The Convention is now open to formal ratification, acceptance, approval or accession by all Member States of UN Tourism and of the United Nations.
Initially, the Convention requires the deposit of ten instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession in order to enter into force. Thereafter, it will take effect for any subsequent ratifying Member 30 days after its instrument of ratification has been deposited and registered with the Secretary-General of UN Tourism.
Optional protocol
Benefits
Procedure
Definitions
Entry into force is the moment in which the treaty becomes legally binding under international law. Once in force, the States having expressed their consent to be legally bound by the treaty have to comply with the provisions of the same. In this regard, the Convention provides, in its article 21(1), that entry into force will occur 30 days after the 10th State has deposited an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with the Secretary-General of UN Tourism.