The Congress, which will address some of the most pressing ethical issues currently facing the tourism sector, aims to evaluate the way forward for a more ethical and responsible tourism sector and secure renewed commitment to the principles of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. 

Former President of Portugal and UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Jorge Sampaio, will deliver the keynote address at the Congress, paving the way for two days of debates on the relationship between ethics and tourism, focusing on issues such as sustainability, gender equality, tourism’s contribution to poverty alleviation and corporate social responsibility.

Confirmed participants include the Ministers of Tourism of Ecuador, Italy, South Africa and Tanzania; leading tourism companies, including the Vice President of Meliá Hotels International, Sebastián Escarrer; representatives from UN Women, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Global Compact; and organizations at the forefront of ethical tourism, including the Executive Director of ECPAT International, a global network for the elimination of child prostitution, child pornography and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes. 

Organized by UNWTO and the Spanish General Secretariat of Tourism and Domestic Trade, the Congress will count on the presence of UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Commerce of Spain, Miguel Sebastián and Secretary-General of Tourism and Domestic Trade of Spain, Joan Mesquida.

EFE news agency and BBC World News are media partners of the Congress and BBC presenter, David Eades, will host the event.