Sri Lanka Tourism to follow WTO Code of Ethics

by Anjana Gamage

Sri Lanka Tourism has agreed to follow the code of ethics that has been implemented by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), an affiliated body of the United Nations (UN), the "Daily News" learns.

The WTO presented its code of ethics on tourism in 1999.

"Sri Lanka as a member country of the WTO has to follow these code of ethics on tourism," said the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism George Micheal.

According to the global code of ethics of the WTO, there 10 different articles on tourism including an understanding and promotion of the ethical values of the people and society, tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfilment, tourism as a factor of sustainable development, tourism as a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and a contributor to its enhancement, tourism as a beneficial activity for host countries and communities, obligations of stakeholders in tourism development, right to tourism, the liberty of tourist movements, rights of the workers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry and the implementation of the principles of the global code of ethics for tourism.

"However the Ministry of Tourism along with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) has taken all steps to inform the local tourism authorities on the global code of ethics on tourism. Now it is the noble duty of the tourism industry stakeholders both Government and private to follow the code of ethics on tourism," Michael said.