Joint Statement on September 27 – World Tourism Day

World Tourism Day, observed annually on September 27, highlights the transformative power of tourism in fostering cultural exchange, driving economic growth, and contributing to social progress. For educators, human rights defenders, and advocates for indigenous peoples, this day presents an opportunity to reflect on how we can promote responsible tourism that respects local cultures, traditions, and communities.

While tourism provides significant development opportunities, it also poses risks that cannot be ignored. “Fair Tourism” should be considered a fundamental principle in all tourism industry activities. This means prioritizing the rights and well-being of local residents, especially the indigenous peoples of tourist destinations, by protecting their languages, traditions, and cultural practices, and ensuring they remain vibrant and respected. Tourism must also consider environmental sustainability, recognizing that unchecked tourism can lead to environmental degradation, as seen in cases of over-tourism in coastal areas of Japan and Spain. Communities in these regions have protested the overwhelming number of tourists, calling for a balance that preserves both their cultural heritage and natural resources.

In alignment with this year's theme for the World Tourism Day —tourism as an instrument for peace—we believe that tourism can also foster mutual understanding and collaboration, building bridges between cultures and contributing to global peace efforts. As we reflect on this theme, we propose our collective aim to establish a model of fair and sustainable tourism that uplifts local indigenous communities, respects their cultures, and preserves the environment for future generations. 

While we are supporting “The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)” (now called UN Tourism -the leading UN international agency in the field of tourism), we believe the following activities will help us achieve these goals:

1. Celebrate Cultural Impacts: Organize events on World Tourism Day that showcase the positive impacts of tourism on global cultures, economies, and communities.
2. Training for Tour Guides: Develop training programs in universities and educational institutions to equip future tour guides with the knowledge and skills to promote sustainable and respectful tourism practices.
3. Advocacy by Diverse Stakeholders (Voices in Society): Engage civil society organizations, NGOs, journalists, religious leaders, artists, athletes, and women in advocacy campaigns that raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges faced by local communities, especially indigenous peoples, in tourism.
4. Promote Inclusivity: Create initiatives that ensure tourism is inclusive and equitable, guaranteeing that economic benefits are shared by all stakeholders, particularly indigenous communities.
5. Protect Cultural Heritage: Implement measures to protect cultural heritage and the environment, ensuring that tourism does not compromise these vital resources for future generations.
6. Adopt Ethical Practices: Call on governments, businesses, and travelers to adopt ethical practices that support local economies, empower indigenous peoples, and promote fair tourism.
7. Raise Awareness for Cultural Preservation: Launch campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the importance of preserving cultural identities and promoting social justice in tourism.
8. Advocate for Fair Labor Policies: Support policies that ensure fair wages, including equal pay for women and men for similar work, prevent child labor, ensure safe working conditions, and respect human rights within the tourism industry.
9. Commit to Indigenous-Led Tourism: Encourage a commitment to creating sustainable, just, and respectful tourism in indigenous communities.
10. Promote Tourism as an Instrument for Peace: In line with this year’s theme, emphasize that tourism can be a powerful instrument for peace, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between diverse cultures. Partnerships with organizations like Peace Through Tourism further this goal.

Closing Note
This joint statement reflects our shared commitment to protecting the human rights of indigenous peoples and raising awareness about these important issues on World Tourism Day. Our collaboration is a testament to our united effort to promote fair tourism, uphold the dignity of indigenous communities, and advocate for peace through responsible tourism practices.

About us
Fair Tourism strives for a world where indigenous people are no longer  unwillingly considered an attraction, but are empowered to be leaders in community-based tourism. Through participatory capacity-building we work with indigenous communities in Thailand, Indonesia, Kenya and Tanzania.