The Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW) is joining the growing number of private sector companies and associations which have pledged to the principles of the Code.

The signing of the Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, held in the presence of Mr. Ernst Burgbacher, Germany's Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and Federal Government Commissioner for SMEs and Tourism, entails the commitment of BTW to promote and implement the values of responsible and sustainable tourism development championed by the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics.

"We are pleased that we were able to sign the Global Code of Ethics in the framework of our Tourism Summit, one of the largest and most important industry events in Germany. As a longtime Affiliate Member of UNWTO, the BTW has always been committed to the principles of the Code. The official signing reinforces, once again, this attitude", said BTW President, Klaus Laepple.

"The endorsement of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics by the tourism private sector in Germany, one of the world's top tourism markets, is essential to further advance the implementation of the Code," said UNWTO Executive Director for External Relations and Partnerships, Márcio Favilla, representing UNWTO at the ceremony. "Germany has traditionally set an example in the field of social responsibility and we are very pleased to see this leadership also in the tourism sector", he added.

UNWTO initiated in 2011 a campaign to promote the adherence of private tourism enterprises and associations to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. A special focus on social, cultural and economic issues within the framework of sustainable tourism is one of the main objectives of the Private Sector Commitment to the Code. Together with the environmental sustainability components being increasingly incorporated into businesses operations across the globe, the Commitment seeks to draw particular attention to issues such as human rights, social inclusion, gender equality, accessibility, and the protection of vulnerable groups and host communities.

The Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW), a UNWTO Affiliate Member, represents the interests of the tourism industry in Germany. Its members include more than 40 large companies and major associations from all sectors of the tourism industry.

Adopted in 1999 by the UNWTO General Assembly and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001, the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is a set of principles designed to guide the development of tourism in a way that maximizes the socio-economic benefits of the sector, while minimizing any negative impacts.