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.
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.