The United Nations World Tourism Organization adopted the ten point Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (PDF) at the organization’s General Assembly meeting in Santiago, Chile, October 1999. According to Francesco Frangialli, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization:

“The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism sets a frame of reference for the responsible and sustainable development of world tourism. . . 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.

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