The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Sustainable Tourism Committee has released the PATA Traveller's Code, a set of guidelines to help consumers travel in a responsible and sustainable manner.
"PATA is pleased to offer some practical rules of thumb for the travelling public," said Mr. Stephen Yong, Director of the Association's Office of the Environment and Culture. "We hope that this code will raise awareness of sustainable tourism issues and the potential impacts of travel." The committee, chaired by Ms. Dawn Drew of National Geographic Traveler magazine, finalised the six-point code at the 51st PATA Annual Conference in New Delhi:
PATA Traveller's Code
Sustaining Indigenous Cultures - "Travel is a passage through other people's lives and other people's places."
1. Be Flexible
Are you prepared to accept cultures and practices different from your own?
2. Choose Responsibly
Have you elected to support businesses that clearly and actively address the cultural and environmental concerns of the locale you are visiting?
3. Do Your Homework
Have you done any research about the people and places you plan to visit so you may avoid what may innocently offend them or harm their environment?
4. Be Aware
Are you informed of the holidays, holy days, and general religious and social customs of the places you visit?
5. Support Local Enterprise
Have you made a commitment to contribute to the local economy by using businesses that economically support the community you are visiting, eating in local restaurants and buying locally made artisan crafts as remembrances of your trip?
6. Be Respectful and Observant
Are you willing to respect local laws that may include restrictions of your usage of or access to places and things that may harm or otherwise erode the environment or alter or run counter to the places you visit? |
