| Code of Ethics |
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Today I will commit to the notion that when traveling I will
see myself as the privileged guest and ambassador of my own
country. I will take responsibility for my actions and accept
that every choice I make has both its adverse consequences and
positive outcomes. Thus, with integrity, humility and genuine
desire, I will foster and promote a more ethical style of travel
by:
Cultivating an Exchange of Knowledge by:
* Researching
the destination’s culture, customs, language, religions,
history, geography, and people before arriving;
* Continually make an effort
to learn the language while I am visiting;
*
Sharing information to my hosts and other travelers
about my home country’s characteristics, customs,
geography, people, and language(s). |
Contributing
to and Promoting Ethical and Environmentally Friendly
Alternatives by: |
* Supporting only
local initiatives, and participating in those tourism
products that are local and / or aim to support the
local community economically and through social programs
(this includes tour companies, hotels, and restaurants);
* Purchasing
goods that are produced and sold locally at a fair price
and assuring that those good are not products
of illegal activities and / or important symbols of
the host’s
culture;
* Reducing
my environmental footprint through maintaining a conscious
awareness of how my actions will affect the host’s
valuable resources. |
Volunteering and Social Activism by:
* Promising to make
an effort to participate, at my own expense, in activities
that aim to restore and preserve the environment as
well as those that aid or bring an extra bit of happiness
to those less fortunate;
* Advocating those companies
and organizations who support and provide ethical and
community based tourism products and services;
* Making a stand against sex tourism, through
reporting any illegal activities to local authorities
and supporting those projects that have put forth the
effort to fight against it. |
Protecting and Respecting Culture by:
* Researching and
practicing cultural etiquettes to the highest level
of my ability, as well as, teaching and informing other
travelers around me;
* Using my camera
in a way that is sensitive to the peoples and cultures
around me. Further I promise to never take a picture
of someone without politely asking first;
*
Being aware that in my pursuit to find something
‘untouched by tourism’ I may be the one stretching
the boundaries of tourism’s negative impacts and
harmful effects. |
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