It is generally known that tourism is deeply connected with travelling, which, by definition, involves cross border social, cultural and commercial transactions. That’s why tourism sector requires more regulatory challenges for this industry than perhaps any other.
In fact Tourism Law can be divided into two broad parts:
First part: the general laws which apply to this industry (often in unexpected ways because of its peculiar characteristics).
Second part: specific laws from the ancient common innkeepers and carriers doctrines to the labyrinth of local, state, federal and international regulations which now govern this industry. [1]
Apart from travelling, tourism also involves transboundary trade, transactions and social, cultural and environmental interactions.
Therefore, the system of international tourism regulation is a complicated apparatus, which is connected with many other branches of law that are somehow close to tourism.
The continuous expansion of the international tourist exchanges led to the need for its international legal regulation and the creation of specialized international tourism organizations.
There are some of them: the specialized agencies of the United Nations (UN) organizations, where the development of international tourism are discussed sporadically and not in the main line of business, non-specialized, international, commercial, national and regional organizations in tourism.
Tools of regulation that are applied in the international tourist activity include international declarations, conventions, resolutions, agreements, reports, recommendations, adopted at international conferences and forums.
Among the UN agencies concerned with the development of international tourism occasionally include UN conference on tourism and travel, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), The United Nations education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Association of Air Transport (IATA).
Among non-governmental organizations specialized in international tourism there are:
- International Association for Social Tourism and recreation workers , established in 1968 ;
- International Association of Scientific Experts on Tourism , established in 1951 to bring together leading academic , scientific, design organizations and institutions in the world , dealing with tourism and travel consults for companies , associations and companies in the fields of management and marketing;
- World Association of Travel Agencies , which brings together more than 250 travel agents and is classified as international business organizations ;
- International Bureau of Social Tourism , established in 1936. , United organization of free trade unions , promotes participation in international tourism of the general population ;
- International Federation of the spa industry , established in 1958, owned resorts , its goal – to solve social problems spa industry, improving operating procedures resort resources;
- International Bureau of Tourism and Travel Youth , founded in 1961, it includes 50 countries. Promotes enhanced international student tourism.
One of the most important documents that regulate the activity of tourism is “Code of tourists.” According to Art. XIII of the Code , the tourists are entitled to free access inside and outside their countries to places and some areas of tourist interest and subject to the existing rules and restrictions on freedom of movement in the field of transit and temporary stay.
In other words, a code is ‘a set of rules of behavior formulated as either a gentleman’s agreement, a social norm, or a rule of law sanctioned by enforcement authorities’. [2]
The main aim of code is to minimize negative impacts of tourists on environment and host community of a tourist destination while maximizing the positive ones.
The acknowledgment of the World Tourism Organization by the United Nations was provided in 2001 (two years later after it was adopted by the General Assembly), which encouraged UNWTO to promote the effective follow-up of its provisions. through its recognition of the role of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics (WCTE), the Code features a voluntary implementation mechanism, to which stakeholders may refer matters concerning the application and interpretation of the document. [3]
The creation of the rules of conduct is particularly for tour operators, hotels and tourists who are directly participated in tourism industry.
Tourism has experienced continued growth and deepening diversification to become one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world.
Therefore, knowing the rules and basis of international tourism regulation is a key needed for a successful participation in tourism and related spheres of business.
References
- Caroline Ashley, Dilys Roe, Hardold Goodwin. (2001). Pro-Poor Tourism Strategies: Making Tourism Work for The Poor. The Russel Press, Nottingham.
- Cole, S (2007). Implementing and evaluating a code of conduct for visitors. Tourism management, 28(2), 443-451.
- United Nations Environment Programme & World Tourism Organization. (2012). Making Tourism More Sustainable – A Guide for Policy Makers. Joint Publication of UNEP & WTO.
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