The United Nations World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO) is the United
Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible,
sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
As the leading international organization in the
field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth,
inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership
and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies
worldwide.
UNWTO encourages the implementation of the Global
Code of Ethics for Tourism to maximize the contribution of tourism to
socio-economic development, while minimizing its possible negative impacts, and
is committed to promoting tourism as an instrument in achieving the United
Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), geared towards reducing poverty
and fostering sustainable development.
UNWTO generates market knowledge, promotes
competitive and sustainable tourism policies and instruments, fosters tourism
education and training, and works to make tourism an effective tool for
development through technical assistance projects in over 100 countries around
the world.
UNWTO’s membership includes 156 countries, 6
territories and over 400 Affiliate Members representing the private sector,
educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.
Accessible tourism is
the ongoing endeavor to ensure tourist destinations, products and services are
accessible to all people, regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities or
age. It encompasses publicly and privately owned tourist locations.
Accessible tourism enables people with access requirements, including mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive dimensions of access, to function independently and with equity and dignity through the delivery of universally designed tourism products, services and environments. This definition is inclusive of all people including those travelling with children in prams, people with disabilities and seniors.
Sustainable tourism is
attempting to make as low an impact on the environment and local culture as
possible, while helping to generate future employment for local people. The aim
of sustainable tourism is to ensure that development brings a positive
experience for local people, tourism companies and the tourists themselves.
Sustainable tourism is an adopted practice in successful ecotourism
Global economists forecast continuing international tourism growth,
the amount depending on the location. As one of the world's largest and fastest
growing industries, this continuous growth will place great stress on remaining
biologically diverse habitats and indigenous cultures, which are often used to
support mass tourism. Tourists who promote sustainable tourism are sensitive to
these dangers and seek to protect tourist destinations, and to protect tourism
as an industry.
Sustainable tourists can reduce the impact of tourism in many ways:
anticipating and respecting local cultures,
expectations and assumptions
contributing to intercultural understanding and
tolerance supporting the integrity of local cultures by
favoring businesses which conserve cultural heritage and traditional values supporting local economies by purchasing local goods
and participating with small, local businesses conserving resources by seeking out businesses that are environmentally conscious and by using the least possible amount of non-renewable resources Increasingly, destinations and tourism operations
are endorsing and following "responsible tourism" as a pathway
towards sustainable tourism. Responsible tourism and sustainable tourism have
an identical goal, that of sustainable development. The pillars of
responsible tourism are therefore the same as those of sustainable tourism –
environmental integrity, social justice and economic development. The major
difference between the two is that, in responsible tourism, individuals,
organizations and businesses are asked to take responsibility for their actions
and the impacts of their actions. This shift in emphasis has taken place
because some stakeholders feel that insufficient progress towards realizing
sustainable tourism has been made since the Earth Summit in
Rio. This is partly because everyone has been expecting others to behave in a
sustainable manner. The emphasis on responsibility in responsible tourism means
that everyone involved in tourism – government, product owners and operators,
transport operators, community services, NGOs and Community-based organization CBOs, tourists, local
communities, industry associations – are responsible for achieving the goals of
responsible tourism.
Global Code of Ethics for
Tourism
The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is intended to
be a living document. Read it. Circulate it widely. Participate in its
implementation. Only with your cooperation can we safeguard the future of the tourism
industry and expand the sector's contribution to economic prosperity,
peace and understanding among all the nations of the world.
The Code’s 10 principles amply
cover the economic, social, cultural and environmental components of travel and
tourism:
Article 1:
Tourism's contribution to mutual understanding and respect between peoples and
societies
Article 2:
Tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfillment
Article 3:
Tourism, a factor of sustainable development
Article 4:
Tourism, a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and contributor to its
enhancement
Article 5:
Tourism, a beneficial activity for host countries and communities
Article 6:
Obligations of stakeholders in tourism development
Article 7:
Right to tourism
Article 8:
Liberty of tourist movements
Article 9:
Rights of the workers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) was
established on the 18th March 1960. TAT was the first organization in Thailand
to be specifically responsible for the promotion of tourism.
TAT supplies information and data on tourist areas to the public,
publicizes Thailand with the intention of encouraging both Thai and
international tourists to travel in and around Thailand, conducts studies to
set development plans for tourist destinations, and co-operates with and
supports the production and development of personnel in the field of
tourism.
Since the inception of the first local office of TAT in Chiang Mai in 1968,
there are now 35 regional offices throughout Thailand. TAT has also established
many overseas offices the first being in New York, which was opened in 1965.
During the past 30 years, TAT has since established 15 more offices in
different parts of the world.
The "Seven Amazing Wonders"
theme products are:
- Thainess: "Experience the art of Thai living" - which refers to traditional Thai hospitality, lifestyle and friendliness of the people.
- Treasure products: "Land of Heritage and history" - covering the World Heritage sites and historical places, temples and Thai museums.
- Beaches: "Fun ,Sun, Surf and Serenity of Thai beaches" - the long-standing popularity of Thailand beach resorts for international and domestic tourism.
- Nature: "Encounter the sheer beauty of Thai nature" - focus on conservation and environment, and market Thai products within the framework of worldwide attention being paid to global warming.
- Health and Wellness: "Land of healthy smile" - a rapidly growing market, highlighting Thailand's preventive and curative therapies.
- Trendy: "Excite yourself with a myriad of Thai trends" - target at the new generation of young travelers and covering the new boutique hotels, shopping centers , restaurants, nightlife and entertainment.
- Festivities: "Enhance yourself with International festivities in Thailand" - the 'sanuk' (fun) factor, featuring popular Thai events and festivals such as the Phuket Regatta, Elephant Polo etc.
Thailand is a wondrous kingdom, featuring Buddhist
temples, exotic wildlife, and spectacular islands. Along with a fascinating
history and a unique culture that includes delectable Thai food and massage,
Thailand features a modern capital city, and friendly people who epitomize
Thailand’s “land of smiles” reputation.
Thailand travel is convenient for visitors as there are many ways to get to
Thailand and even more ways to travel in Thailand, whether your
destination is Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, or the most remote provinces.
Thailand features not only one of the finest cuisines in the world but also a
wide selection of restaurants serving authentic Italian, Japanese, Middle
Eastern, and other global cuisines. Find restaurants, recipes, and cookery
classes to fill your holiday with epicurean pleasure.
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