Since 2012, the association has become the most relevant multi-stakeholder initiative in the industry. It has recently gained three new members, including its largest tour operator to date: the DER Touristik Group.

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day on 10 December, the Roundtable highlights the importance of human rights in tourism. Respecting human rights along the entire value chain is the responsibility of all companies. The payment of living wages, the protection of children from exploitation and the careful use of local resources such as water, energy and land also increase companies' long-term and long-lasting success.

Especially given the small-scale and often international tourism value chain, which harbours numerous risks for rights holders, a sector-specific network such as the Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism is needed. It was founded 10 years ago as a loose exchange platform of tour operators, and non-governmental organisations for the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and is today the largest multi-stakeholder initiative for human rights in tourism with 35 members from six European countries.

Since 1 November, the non-profit platform "give & grow " and the renowned Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich with its department for Geography are on board. As of 1 January 2023, the Roundtable also welcomes DER Touristik Group as its largest member. The globally acting tour operator with over 8,000 employees is thus sending a decisive signal to the industry: "Tourism is a people's business,", explains Tony Reyhanloo, Corporate Responsibility Manager at DER Touristik. "As an industry, we need to work together to find solutions. For this reason, I invite all companies and organisations to join forces - together, we are strong!"

"For the next ten years, we want to welcome more members from business and civil society to increase the reach of our activities and, above all, the impact in the destinations and for the people on the ground. Only where companies respect human rights can tourism contribute to sustainable development," says Antje Monshausen of Tourism Watch at Bread for the World and Chair of the Roundtable.
About the Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism

The Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism is a multi-stakeholder initiative that promotes the implementation of human rights due diligence by tourism companies. The Roundtable currently has 33 members from six countries, including tour operators, travel associations, certification bodies, industry multipliers and non-governmental organisations. It sees itself as an open dialogue platform for exchanging and transferring know-how within the industry and provides information, materials, and good practice examples to respect of human rights in tourism according to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

respect_NFI is a founding member of the Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism. With RESPECT, Naturefriends International (NFI) contributes to a tourism that is ecologically, socially and economically sustainable in the long term and that supports the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Agenda 2030.

Members of the Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism

ABTA – The Travel Association, a&e erlebnis:reisen, ANVR – Dutch Travel Association, Berufsbildende Schule Cora Berlin Hannover, Berufsschule für Handel und Reisen Wien, Defence for Children – ECPAT Netherlands, DER Touristik Group, DRV – German Travel Association, ECPAT Germany, Fairaway, fairjourney, FH Graubünden (Institut für Tourismus und Freizeit); forum anders reisen e.V., Gebeco, give & grow, Global Compact Network Germany, Hamburg Foundation for Business Ethics, Hauser Exkursionen, ITB Berlin, kate – Umwelt & Entwicklung, Kia Ora Reisen, Kneissl Touristik, (Lehr- und Forschungseinheit Wirtschaftsgeografie), Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München (Department Geographie), Naturefriends International, Oliva Reisen, ÖRV – Austrian Travel Association, Reisen mit Sinnen, Schyst Resande, SRV – Swiss Travel Federation, Studiosus Reisen, TourCert, Tourism Watch at Bread for the World, Travelife for Hotels and Accommodations, Ventura Travel, Willy Scharnow- Tourism Foundation

Further information and press contact

All information on offers, tools and events can be found on the website of the Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism: https://www.humanrights-in-tourism.net/

You can find the websites of the new members here:

DER Touristik Group: https://www.dertouristik.com/

give & grow: https://giveandgrow.world/de/start

Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich with its Department for Geography: https://www.geographie.uni-muenchen.de/department/fiona_eng/department/wirtschaftsgeo/index.html
 

Contact:
Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism
Jara Schreiber, Koordinatorin
Tel.: +49 (0)151 45 83 87 95
E-Mail: info@humanrights-in-tourism.net