The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recently adopted a few recommendations on travel certificates for global travel, and the concept and ethics of vaccine tourism came under the lens.
The World Committee on Tourism Ethics, an independent unit of the UNWTO has criticsed the concept of vaccine tourism and vaccination holiday packages being implemented in several countries.
The committee recommends that these travel certificates must be responsibly used in all regions and also that the COVID-19 travel certificates for international travel must be free and universally available on a non-discriminatory basis.
The Ethics Committee has also suggested that these vaccination certificates must be limited in time and use.
&ldquoWe hope that this recommendation will provide a global ethical framework that will aid the much-needed recovery of tourism,&rdquosaid chairman Pascal Lamy via a YouTube post.
Given the fact that a few countries around the globe have already started welcoming tourists again, all the possible the implications that health certificates might have on tourism ethics will be assessed by UNWTO.
The General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as an impartial and independent body has previously concluded that such certificates can be compatible with ethical tourism, though their &lsquoto be measured, proportionate, and responsible use needs&rsquo.
The committee members adopted the recommendation on COVID-19 travel certificates for international travel only after a series of consultations with stakeholders and experts from around the world.
Citing the principles of the related Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics and the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, the Committee also suggested that &ldquovaccines should not form part of vaccination holiday packages and must remain a global public good&rdquo.