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European hospitality industry commits to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is UNWTO’s core policy document and serves as a roadmap for the development of responsible and sustainable tourism. Adopted by the UNWTO General Assembly in 1999 and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001, it contains a set of principles designed to maximize the socio-economic benefits of the tourism sector while mitigating any negative impacts.

THE HAGUE – On the occasion of its 71st General Assembly, HOTREC, the European association of hotels, restaurants and cafes, joined the Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism in presence of Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

With this decisive step, HOTREC and the European Hospitality industry commit to promote a more sustainable and responsible tourism which maximises the sector’s socio-economic benefits while minimising its impact on the environment, cultural heritage and societies.

“The European hospitality industry is committed to the principles embodied in the UNWTO Code of Ethics. It is our belief that our industry can play a responsible role in promoting and achieving the goals of this Code” said Ms. Susanne Kraus-Winkler, President of HOTREC.

“HOTREC’s signature of the Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism testifies of the European Hospitality industry’s belief in the principles of sustainable and responsible tourism promoted by UNWTO. I look forward to working even more closely with HOTREC and its members to ensure the promotion and implementation of the principles of the Code” said Mr. Rifai.

The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is UNWTO’s core policy document and serves as a roadmap for the development of responsible and sustainable tourism. Adopted by the UNWTO General Assembly in 1999 and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001, it contains a set of principles designed to maximize the socio-economic benefits of the tourism sector while mitigating any negative impacts.

This commitment comes only a few months after HOTREC joined the Executive Committee of the World Tourism Network on Child Protection promoted by UNWTO, therefore showing the industry’s engagement to fulfil its societal responsibilities.

HOTREC proposes 10 steps towards a sustainable and responsible “sharing economy” in tourism accommodation
The General Assembly of HOTREC also agreed on a policy paper, including the HOTREC Chart towards a sustainable and responsible “sharing” economy in tourism accommodation. The European hospitality industry considers that the current regulatory vacuum is providing ground across Europe for risks in consumer protection and safety, unfair competition, as well as for grey areas of economic activities.

HOTREC’s policy paper highlights key issues which need to be addressed by public authorities and society. These issues include the need of registration and statistical measurement of the activity, ensuring compliance with safety and security, as well as fiscal obligations, protecting employees’ rights and the quality of life of neighborhoods.

“In the policy paper adopted today, HOTREC is proposing 10 steps towards a sustainable and responsible “sharing” economy. It is now up to the authorities to make the “sharing” economy an integrated model, ensuring consumer safety and security as well as tax income, as does the hospitality industry, which employs 10 million people, and together with tourism represents the 3rd socio-economic activity in Europe” stressed Christian de Barrin, CEO of HOTREC.


Akos Niklai, President of Hotelstars Union, Susanne Kraus-Winkler, President of HOTREC, and Marcello Scarnato, LHGV Board Member.

“The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) welcomes this report by HOTREC as an important contribution to the discussions around the ‘sharing economy’ in the tourism sector. The rise of entrepreneurship, the so called ‘sharing economy’ and the driving role of consumers have taken centre stage. While we welcome innovation and entrepreneurship, we must also underline the need for the sector to find progressive solutions to safeguard consumer rights and quality standards while ensuring a level playing field for all businesses” said Taleb Rifai.

“HOTREC is convinced that “sharing” economy service providers must contribute their part to the overall economy and to society, ensuring, inter alia, guests’ safety and security, interests of neighborhoods of tourist apartments, fair competition vis-a-vis the already regulated accommodation sector, as well as societal interests: first of all proper compliance with fiscal obligations and employees’ rights” emphasised Ramon Estalella, Chair of HOTREC’s dedicated Task Force to the “sharing” economy.

HOTREC and Hotelstars Union welcome as its new member LHGV
HOTREC welcomed as a new member the Liechtenstein Hotel & Gastronomy Association (LHGV). At the same occasion Liechtenstein also signed the Hotelstars Union (HSU) Adhesion Contract and has thus become the sixteenth member of the stars family.

We warmly welcome the Liechtenstein Hotel & Gastronomy Association (LHGV). Liechtenstein extends the HOTREC family to 43 national associations increasing, thus, its representativeness as the voice of the European hospitality industry” said Ms. Susanne Kraus-Winkler, President of HOTREC. “With new members, HOTREC strengthens even more its position as a key interlocutor before the European institutions on a wide range of policy issues impacting directly or indirectly the industry in Europe” concluded Ms. Kraus-Winkler.

“We are very pleased to become a member of HOTREC. The hospitality industry is a key sector to our Principality, therefore, joining HOTREC will place us in a better position to represent and defend the interests of our industry”  said Dr. Marcello Scarnato, LHGV Board Member “We have been following HOTREC affairs for the last months and we are impressed by the quality services developed by HOTREC for its members. We are eager to start working together with the other HOTREC members on European hospitality related matters and to start exchanging views on the opportunities and challenges that the tourism sector currently encounters. In addition, being a Member of HSU is an important step for our hotels to enhance international competitiveness and comparability”, added Dr. Scarnato.

HSU President, Akos Niklai, is delighted about the accession and states: “We are happy about Liechtenstein’s entry into HSU. Hotel classification provides security and orientation for guests and quality assurance for hoteliers”.

LHGV will officially join HOTREC membership as of 9 November 2015. With this new member, HOTREC extends its representation to 43 national associations in 29 different European countries, demonstrating its success as the European umbrella association representing the interest of  hotels, restaurants, cafes and similar establishments before the EU institutions.

Photo caption: Mr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General with Ms. Susanne Kraus-Winkler, President of HOTREC, signing the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism during HOTREC General Assembly.

 

Co-Founder & Chief Editor - TravelDailyNews Media Network | Website | + Posts

Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.

She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

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