In the framework of the 1st International Congress of Ethics and Tourism, the Iberostar Group has signed WTO's Global Ethics Code for Tourism and ECPAT's Code of Conduct for Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism.
Coinciding with the 1st International Congress of Ethics and Tourism, jointly organized in Madrid from 15-16 September by the Spanish General Secretariat of Tourism and Domestic Trade and the World Tourism Organization (WTO), the Iberostar Group signed WTO's Global Ethics Code for Tourism and ECPAT's Code of Conduct for Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism.
By signing WTO's Global Ethics Code for Tourism, the Mallorcan group commits itself to respect 10 principles covering the economic, social, cultural and environmental facets of travel and tourism.
The code establishes a global framework for responsible and sustainable tourism and has been defined by the WTO (UN organism responsible for debating tourism policy issues) as a tool for maximizing profits from tourism and, at the same time, minimizing its negative impact on the environment, cultural heritage and society.
The Code of Conduct for Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism has been drawn up jointly by WTO and ECPAT, a network of organizations and individuals working to eradicate child prostitution, child pornography and child and adolescent trafficking for sexual purposes. The Iberostar Group has agreed to implement this code of self-regulation and corporate social responsibility which reinforces the protection of children against their sexual exploitation in travel and tourism.
Joan Vargas, corporate director of human resources and CSR at Iberostar, commented: "The signing of these codes represents another step forward in our desire to continue working on a solid CRS policy in accordance with international standards. The Iberostar Group endorses the commitment to promoting, furthering and heightening awareness about the principles of these two codes throughout its value chain, thus guaranteeing the highest standards of quality, service and sustainable development."
