"Tourism Concern’s efforts at engaging the international tourism industry on human rights have been recognised by the UN Special Representative for business and human rights.

The Special Representative has added Tourism Concern and our Putting Tourism to Rights report to its list of instances of practical applications of the new UN Framework on Business and Human Rights.

Download the latest list here
http://www.business-humanrights.org/media/documents/ruggie/applications-...

‘Human Rights and Tourism’ is the focus of this issue of Contours.

Abstract

The present paper is an attempt to integrate the concept of human rights into the mainstream tourism discourse. In the name of development, human rights are often neglected while there are definite long-term advantages to be gained by actively promoting it. The paper examines the human rights perspectives of the major stakeholder groups in tourism to finally arrive at a comprehensive picture. Implications of some of the general principles and proclaimed guidelines of human rights for tourism are discussed.

Tourism activities are usually based on existing unequal, exploitative relationships and consequently, the poorer and more vulnerable groups in the country of destination suffer disproportionately from the negative impacts of tourism. This article examines how states, corporations and individuals under existing international and national law, corporate initiatives and the evolving concept of Responsible Tourism may address these problems. Attention is focused upon the tourism industry in South East Asia and how human rights, in particular those of women, are affected.

Peter T. Muchlinski explores arguments for and against the extension of human rights obligations to multinational enterprises