The Committees on Ethics and on Statistics met at UNWTO Headquarters, from the 13th to the 14th March, underscoring the importance of responsible tourism and the measurement of the economic impact of the sector.

The Members of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics underscored the importance of highlighting the significance of promoting values that form the foundation of sound, responsible and sustainable tourism, while avoiding potential damages of "opportunistic and unguided forms of tourism".

David de Villiers, former UNWTO Deputy Secretary-General and newly elected President of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics said, "The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is designed to help the industry achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals. It is a practical framework to maximize the positive cultural economic and humanizing potential of tourism".

At the same time the ninth meeting of the Committee on Statistics and the Tourism Satellite Account was held. The Committee confirmed the Presidency of Mr. Eduardo Pereira Nunes, President of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics.

It also focused on how to enhance the accurate measurement of tourism's contribution to economic growth and employment so as to reinforce the potential of the sector as a catalyst of change and innovation; as well as sustainable development and poverty reduction.