The Dominican Republic tourism sector is moving towards implementing the World Tourism Organization Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. Meetings are being held in the public and private sectors for the implementation of the code nationwide. The code sets a frame of reference for responsible and sustainable development of world tourism. While it is not a legally binding document, it reflects social changes at the beginning of the 21st century and seeks to safeguard the future of the tourism industry and expand the sector’s contribution to economic prosperity, peace and understanding among all the nations of the world, according to Francesco Frangialli, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization. “With international tourism forecast to nearly triple in volume over the next 20 years, members of the World Tourism Organization believe that the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is needed to help minimize the negative impacts of tourism on the environment and on cultural heritage while maximizing the benefits for residents of tourism destinations,” according to the WTO.
http://www.world-tourism.org/code_ethics/eng/global.htm