The Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism (ECOT) was founded   in 1982 by ecumenical organizations worldwide as   a response to the profound impact of tourism on the third world communities. It works in collaboration with faiths-based and secular groups to promote socially, ecologically and ethically responsible tourism that benefits all.

Tourism is one of the biggest industries in the world, estimated at ten per cent of the world’s GDP. The tourism industry and most governments see it as an easy means to raising substantial income for shareholders and the economy.  

But is tourism really a motor for development? Do local communities really benefit from it or do they live off the breadcrumbs from the corporate table?

Most holiday-goers see tourism as a harmless, pleasant and benign activity. But there are always two sides to a coin. Tourism is a very demanding industry. It is notorious for its higher than average usage of electricity, natural resources and land. The infrastructure developed to cater for tourism threatens local livelihoods, displaces local people, endangers ecosystems, causes depletion of natural resources and has an overall negative social and cultural impact on the host communities.

Tourism also raises challenges regarding climate change, human trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children, spread of HIV/ AIDS, and it also contributes to many other injustices and human rights violations.  

The Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism aims to:

•  Respond  to the impact of tourism on communities in the Third World, and provide a voice for their concerns
•  Advocate  and act against unfair practices in tourism to change them
•  Empower  indigenous and traditional peoples and support them in their efforts for a fair return in tourism
•  Lobby  against the violation of Human Rights linked with tourism development at a national and international level 
•  Advance  responsible and ethical tourism to promote a just participatory and sustainable world
•  Undertake  research and disseminate information on the impact of tourism

*Photo: Tim Silverwood