PATA Report puts a focus on indigenous tourism and human rights in Asia and the Pacific region

BANGKOK - As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) recognises the various pressures and threats that many global Indigenous communities face and in collaboration with the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance (WINTA), focuses the travel and tourism industry’s attention on the issue through the release of the report on Indigenous Tourism & Human Rights In Asia & the Pacific Region.

The primary aim of the report is to support the increased engagement of the Association in the prevention of Indigenous rights’ infractions and violations through tourism development, and in the promotion of Indigenous people’s tourism that is respectful of their traditional and human rights while supporting sustainable development.

Building upon ideas set forth in the Larrakia Declaration, the report aims to advance the discussion on issues relating to human rights and Indigenous tourism:

- To support and maintain Indigenous cultural integrity;
- To ensure equitable benefits are achieved from tourism for Indigenous people; and
- To enhance the richness and vitality of tourist experiences for all involved.

The Larrakia Declaration, endorsed by PATA, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and WINTA, is the tourism industry’s response to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to empower the development of Indigenous tourism.

PATA CEO Mario Hardy said, “PATA continues to embrace the uniqueness and diversity of heritages, cultures, customs and natural beauty of the world’s diverse destinations through such activities as the PATA CEO Challenge 2015, the PATA Fourth Aligned Advocacy Dinner under the theme “the Dispersion of Tourists, and the PATA New Tourism Frontiers Forum 2015. Our partnership with WINTA for this report and our support to the Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism Conference from September 12-14, 2015, only highlights our dedication to this issue.”

The report was generously supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and WINTA, and compiled principally by Dr. Chris Bottrill of Capilano University and current Chairman of the PATA Human Capital Development Committee.

This Indigenous Tourism & Human Rights In Asia & the Pacific Region report is delivered free to PATA members and is priced at US$50 for chapter members and non-members. All proceeds from the sale of the report will go to the PATA Foundation’s Nepal Earthquake Tourism Recovery Fund.

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