CHAPTER 5 : SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DECLARATIONS RELATED TO

ENVIRONMENT
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this chapter, the student can:
1. Discuss the Johannesburg Declaration.
2. Elucidate the Rio Declaration and its principles.
3. Expound on the Global Agenda 21 and Philippine Agenda 21
4. Discuss the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.

WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION (WTO-OMT)

The World Tourism Organization (WTO/OMT), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is
the leading international organization in the field of tourism. It serves as a global forum for
tourism policy issues and practical source of tourism know-how.
With its headquarters in Madrid, Spain, the WTO plays a central and decisive
role in promoting the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible
tourism, with the aim of contributing to economic development, international understanding,
peace, prosperity and universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental
freedoms. In pursuing this aim, the Organization pays particular attention to the interests of
developing countries in the field of tourism.
The WTO plays a catalytic role in promoting technology transfers and international cooperation,
in stimulating and developing public-private sector partnerships and in encouraging the
implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, with a view to ensuring that member
countries, tourist destinations and businesses maximize the positive economic, social and
cultural effects of tourism and fully reap its benefits, while minimizing its negative social and
environmental impacts. In 2005, the WTO's membership is comprised of 145 countries, seven
territories and more than 300 Affiliate Members representing the private sector, educational
institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.

Johannesburg Declaration
The Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development was adopted at the World Summit
on Sustainable Development (WSSD), sometimes referred to as Earth Summit 2002, at which
the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development was also agreed
upon.
The Johannesburg Declaration builds on earlier declarations made at the United Nations
Conference on the Human Environment at Stockholm in 1972, and the Earth Summit in Rio de
Janeiro in 1992. While committing the nations of the world to sustainable development, it also
includes substantial mention of multilateralism as the path forward.
In terms of the political commitment of parties, the Declaration is a more general statement than
the Rio Declaration. It is an agreement to focus particularly on "the worldwide conditions that
pose severe threats to the sustainable development of our people, which include: chronic
hunger; malnutrition; foreign occupation; armed conflict; illicit drug problems; organized crime;
corruption; natural disasters; illicit arms trafficking; trafficking in persons; terrorism; intolerance
and incitement to racial, ethnic, religious and other hatreds; xenophobia; and endemic,
communicable and chronic diseases, in particular HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis

Rio Declaration
The 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development defines the rights of the people to
be involved in the development of their economies, and the responsibilities of human beings to
safeguard the common environment. The declaration builds upon the basic ideas concerning
the attitudes of individuals and nations towards the environment and development, first
identified at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (1972).
The Rio Declaration states that long term economic progress is only ensured if it is linked with
the protection of the environment. If this is to be achieved, then nations must establish a new
global partnership involving governments, their people and the key sectors of society. Together
human society must assemble international agreements that protect the global environment with
responsible development.
Principles of the Rio Declaration.
 People have a right to a balanced, prosperous life that is in tune with nature.
 Today's development must not jeopardize the needs of future generations. Nations have
the right to exploit their own wealth as long as they do so without harming the world
beyond their borders.
 The conservation of the environment must be an important part of the construction
process.
 If we want to achieve sustainable development while addressing the needs of the
majority of people, we must eliminate poverty and reduce inequalities in living conditions
in different parts of the world.
 Environmental issues are better addressed when all interested people are involved.
 Pollution costs should, in theory, be borne by the polluter.

Global agenda 21
Agenda 21 is a global, national, and local action plan to be implemented by the United Nations
System, governments, and major groups in any region where humans have an influence on the
environment.
Agenda 21 is a comprehensive programme of action adopted by 182 governments at the United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), the Earth Summit, on 14 June
1992. The first document of its kind to achieve international consensus, Agenda 21 provides a
blueprint for securing the sustainable future of the planet, from now into the 21st century. It
identifies the environment and development issues which threaten to bring about economic and
ecological catastrophe and presents a strategy for transition to more sustainable development
practices
Philippine Agenda 21
The Philippine Agenda 21 government's blueprint for long-term growth. It lays out a path for
individuals, families, households, and communities, as well as an action plan for each
ecosystem (coastal/marine, freshwater, upland, lowland, and urban), as well as through
habitats, taking into account the interactions of the different life scapes and environments found
therein.
Philippine Agenda 21 advocates for a fundamental shift in development thinking and approach.
It departs from traditional conceptual frameworks that emphasize sector. specific and macro-
level concerns. By emphasizing, the Philippine Agenda 21 promotes harmony and achieves
sustainability.
 A scale of intervention that is primarily focused on a specific geographic area. The policy
environment at the national and global levels builds on and supports area- based
initiatives.
 Where appropriate, integrated island planning approaches. This acknowledges the
Philippines' archipelagic nature, which includes numerous small island provinces.
PA 21 envisions a better quality of life for all Filipinos through the creation of a just, moral and
creative, spiritual, economically vibrant, caring, diverse yet cohesive society marked by
appropriate productivity, participatory and democratic processes, and living in harmony and
within the limits of nature's carrying capacity and the integrity of creation.
PA 21 was enacted on September 26, 1996, with the issuance of Memorandum Order No. 399
by then-President Fidel V. Ramos, which defined the roles of the Philippine Council for
Sustainable Development (PCSD) and each sector in the PA 21 implementation. The action
agenda is based on the current national situation and the emerging landscape for sustainable
development.

GLOBAL CODE OF ETHICS FOR TOURISM

According to UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET) is a comprehensive set of
principles designed to guide key-players in tourism development. Addressed to governments,
the travel industry, communities and tourists alike, it aims to help maximize the sector's benefits
while minimizing its potentially negative impact on the environment, cultural heritage and
societies across the globe.
"Tourism is a genuine driver of solidarity and development. Let us all fully harness its power to
bring people and communities together, abiding by the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. This
way tourism can keep delivering better opportunities and sustainabledevelopment for millions
across the globe."
Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General, August 2020

The Code's 10 articles amply cover the economic, social, cultural and environmental
components of travel and tourism:
1. Tourism's contribution to mutual understanding and respect between peoples and societies.
2. Tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfilment 3. Tourism, a factor of sustainable
development enhancement.
4. Tourism, a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and contributor to its
5. Tourism, a beneficial activity for host countries and communities.
6. Obligations of stakeholders in tourism development.
7. Right to tourism
8. Liberty of tourist movements
9. Rights of the workers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry
10. Implementation of the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism