Tourism – like many other international industries – has grown to stretch the planet. In scope it has effectively touched almost all corners of our world. With this growth has come some tremendous benefits, but just as quickly have come some staggering negative impacts. Our desire and curiosity to explore is innate and alive in all of us!
As we venture out to satisfy this curiosity, we must also recognize that each and every one of us as travelers has the opportunity to lessen the negative effect associated with tourism and more accurately has the human responsibility to do so. Ergo, we must dutifully endeavor to seek out more ethical and sustainable means to facilitate our travels.
Here is a Tourist Code of Ethics designed by Canadian and Vietnamese tourism students from Capilano University and Hanoi Open University. It is hoped that a band of ethical tourists can be formed who, through their commitment and actions will minimize the harmful effects of tourism and as a growing body of committed travelers, force the Tourism Industry all over the World to change.