Background

 

 

How the Code was developed

In 2002, Dev-Zone - a programme of the Development Resource Centre - took a look at how we were fulfilling our mandate to inform and educate Aotearoa New Zealanders about development and global issues. We recognised that tourism is one of the most direct ways that many Aotearoa New Zealanders engage with the wider world.

As an Aotearoa New Zealand based international development NGO which is firmly grounded in the Pacific, Dev-Zone undertook research into what role it could play in promoting responsible tourism to the Pacific for the outbound tourism sector. The research involved travel agents, travel wholesalers, embassies and training providers, and explored the best ways to get the responsible tourism message across to travellers.

Through the study it was shown that:

  1. More information was needed on how people could travel responsibly.
  2. The material should contain information that raises awareness about responsible tourism: environmental issues, cultural sensitivities, and other ways that tourists can make socially responsible consumer decisions.
  3. The resource should also include a website with more in-depth information and links to organisations involved in Responsible Tourism.

From this study, and further research based on feedback from people throughout the Pacific, Dev-Zone drafted the Responsible Tourism Code for the Pacific. The draft Code was sent out to the travel and tourism sector in Aotearoa and the Pacific. An online survey of the Code was put up on our website and Dev-Zone requested feedback from those subscribed to its extensive international mailing lists.

We got face-to-face feedback on the Code from a number of key Pacific Island non-governmental organisations. The Code was also sent out through the networks of the Pacific Island Association of NGOs (PIANGO). South-pacific.travel (previously know as the South Pacific Tourism Organisation) was subsequently involved in the development of the Code getting feedback from the large number of tourism and travel operators that are south-pacific.travel members.

The Code was redrafted a number of times until the final launch of the Code on 13 December 2004.

For 2008, Dev-Zone has decided to refresh the code. The field of responsible tourism is constantly changing and the new revised code and website reflect recent feedback we have received from our Pacific partners as well as current critical issues in responsible tourism.

The revised Responsible Tourism Code for the Pacific is endorsed by PIANGO and south-pacific.travel.

About Dev-Zone

Dev-Zone is a programme of the Development Resource Centre (DRC) - a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation governed by a charitable trust. We are core funded by NZAID Nga Hoe Tuputup-mai-tawhiti (New Zealand's International Aid and development Agency).

The DRC's vision statement is change for a just world and its mission is informing and educating to empower people to take action to create a just world.

Dev-Zone is a resource centre on international development and global issues. We hold an extensive range of up-to-date electronic and hard copy resources, operate a free library, manage a comprehensive website on global issues, provide email updates on a variety of development topics, answer quick enquiries and offer a literature search service.

We also manage information projects - like the Responsible Tourism project - that fit with our values. We work closely with the development, aid and human rights sector in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly NGOs, development practitioners, universities, community groups, and the general public.

For more information about Dev-Zone and its sister programme at the Development Resource Centre, the Global Education Centre, visit our websites:

Dev-Zone and Global Education Centre

 

Thank you

Yoko Asano for her valuable help in researching the tourism industry and contributing to the promotion of the Code.

Freya Barnes for her advice on the Code's promotion.

Megan Williams, whose commitment and dedication as a volunteer on the project in 2004 was crucial to the development and promotion of the Code.

Kirsten McDougall for her voluntary assistance with the writing and design of the content of the Responsible Tourism website.