The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has signed the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism at the Palau de la Generalitat (government palace) in Valencia.

Mark Meader, ASTA’s senior vice president of marketing, industry affairs and education, represented ASTA at the signing ceremony, which was also attended by officials from the government of Spain and the United Nations. The ceremony marked the opening of the 4th Summit of Travel Agencies Associations in Valencia, where Meader is set to speak this week, moderating a panel of CEOs and presidents of global agency associations from each continent. The topic will be “Worldwide Travel Agencies: Market Trends,” and it will see the associations share like data from their respective markets.

The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is a comprehensive set of 10 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. The 10 principles are:

  1. Tourism’s contribution to mutual understanding and respect between peoples and societies
  2. Tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfillment
  3. Tourism, a factor of sustainable development
  4. Tourism, a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and contributor to its enhancement
  5. Tourism, a beneficial activity for host countries and communities
  6. Obligations of stakeholders in tourism development
  7. Right to tourism
  8. Liberty of tourist movements
  9. Rights of the workers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry
  10. Implementation of the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

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