The tourism industry needs to make human rights a core part of its operations and future development if it is to be taken seriously on claims to sustainability.
Campaign group Tourism Concern issued a challenge to the sector at World Travel Market last week with the launch of a briefing paper on Business and Human Rights: the challenges and opportunities for tourism.
Tourism Concern director Tricia Barnett said: “No one wants to go on holiday thinking they are part of a process that could be abusing human rights. But of course, they would never know. Human rights abuses are hidden.
“There is an onus on travel businesses to ensure they are not complicit in rights violations. As one of the world’s largest service industries and proclaimed driver of sustainable development, the tourism industry must engage with human rights. Our report seeks to begin a dialogue on how to move forward.”
Barnett highlighted a host of violations, involving displacement of people and denial of traditional livelihoods such as fishing. She said: “We have uncovered stories of people being harassed, bludgeoned, terrorised out of their homes [to makle way for tourism developments].
“Tourism does bring jobs. But fishermen might be forced to become gardeners or cleaners or golf caddies when these are not the jobs these people want.”
Speaking in support of the campaign, Peter Frankental of Amnesty International, said: “Communities everywhere are resisting the adverse impacts of investments, including tourism investment.” He pointed out the United Nations had adopted a framework on business and human rights this year laying out 31 principles that companies will be expected to adhere to in future.
Swiss-based travel group Kuoni is developing a policy on human rights that should be incorporated into its operations from early next year. Kuoni corporate responsibility project manager Sabine Loetscher-Ehrler said pressure to act came from operating in more than 50 destinations.
She said: “Being active in so many countries made us aware of the many positive as well as the negative impacts.”