While tourism alone cannot prevent or solve conflicts, it can be a complementary tool for promoting peace and stability by promoting cultural exchange and supporting the establishment of institutions and access to judiciary systems that promote peace and justice. It is crucial to have well-planned and coordinated efforts between governments, tourism stakeholders, and communities to ensure that the benefits of tourism are equitably distributed, and that the sector operates in a responsible, inclusive, and sustainable manner. By doing so, tourism can help to promote SDG 16 and contribute to long-term peace and stability in societies.
There are nine targets within SDG 16 that are deemed to have a stronger and direct link for tourism to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. These targets have been selected to base the potential project indicators.Â
TARGET 16.1
SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE AND RELATED DEATH RATES EVERYWHERE
Target 16.1 calls for a reduction in violence everywhere. Tourism can contribute to this target by ensuring surveillance, security, and the careful development of tourist areas. Categorization as a âsafe destinationâ is a key factor influencing the image or brand, thus the overall sustainability of a destination. The most significant impact of crime on a tourist destination is the drastic reduction in tourist demand, hereby hampering potential economic benefits for the local economy, which, again, contributes to the worsening of the situation onsite.
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Violence and harassment / Violent crimesÂ
Violence and harassment / Harassment
TARGET 16.2
END ABUSE, EXPLOITATION, TRAFFICKING, AND ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST AND TORTURE OF CHILDREN FOR MANY FOREST-RICH TROPICAL COUNTRIES.
Tourism can play an active role in preventing child abuse, human trafficking and torture by developing and adopting policies and programmes that support local and international actions against child abuse. Several factors make the tourism sector especially vulnerable to human trafficking and modern slavery compared to other sectors, such as the frequent changeover of clients in hotels and airports, increasing automation of operations, the common practice of using subcontractors for different tasks such as construction, maintenance, security or cleaning. The commercial sexual exploitation of children, including child sex tourism, is a manifestation of labour exploitation and included in the International Labour Organisationâs (ILO) efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labour. Therefore, tourism stakeholders by all accounts should actively develop strategies to protect children and minimize the risk of abuse.
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Legal frameworks, policies and rule of law / Child protection
Legal frameworks, policies and rule of law / Tourism policies and strategies
Education and training / Capacity building
TARGET 16.3
PROMOTE THE RULE OF LAW AT THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS AND ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR ALLÂ
The focus is on the access to justice institutions and dispute resolution mechanisms (both formal and informal). It is broadly concerned with the ability of people to defend and enforce their rights and obtain just resolution of justiciable problems in compliance with human rights standards; if necessary, through impartial formal or informal institutions of justice180 and with appropriate legal support.181 Tourism can be a respected tool for personal development andsocial transformation. Sociologically and ecologically positive tourism development can create better futures for all stakeholders. Tourism legislations are important as a means for governments, and tourism officials to ensure that there is legal standing whenever the rule of law is under threat.
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Legal frameworks, policies and rule of law / Accountability, compliance and transparency
Legal frameworks, policies and rule of law / Access to justice
Education and training / Capacity building
TARGET 16.4
BY 2030, SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE ILLICIT FINANCIAL AND ARMS FLOWS, STRENGTHEN THE RECOVERY AND RETURN OF STOLEN ASSETS AND COMBAT ALL FORMS OF ORGANIZED CRIME.
Target 16.4 seeks to combat organized crime and illicit financial and arms flows. By principle, the tourism sector should altogether condemn any form of criminal activity. Tourism actors, including tourists, should be aware of the types of illicit activities that they may be exposed to and which directly or indirectly fund organized crime groups.
Tourists can reduce the demand for illicit products and services, by making ethical consumer choices and informed decisions, helping to put a halt to many crimes and violations such as human trafficking, wildlife crime and trafficking in illicit drugs, counterfeit goods and cultural artefacts. In 2014, UNWTO, UNODC and UNESCO launched an anti-trafficking campaign â âYour Actions Count â Be a Responsible Travellerâ â in line with the UNâs goal of combating organized crime and promoting, through the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, equitable, responsible and sustainable tourism.
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Tourism value chain / Tourism operations
Education and training / Awareness raising
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TARGET 16.5
SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE CORRUPTION AND BRIBERY IN ALL THEIR FORMS
Target 16.5 sets out to substantially reduce corruption and bribery. In this regard, and since corruption is an obstacle for tourism development, if a country practices bribery and fraudulent business practices, the damage it brings to the countryâs social and cultural image can impede its tourism competitiveness. It leads to bureaucratic delays and encourages administrative inefficiency. The fight against corruption needs to be integrated into strategies for sustainable tourism. Where existing structures facilitate corrupt behaviour, there is a need to improve monitoring, transparency and accountability. Corruption and bribery are practices that may affect any socioeconomic sector, but tourism may be more exposed to such situations as it is a sector that requires a large scale of infrastructure development or business registration.
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Education and training / Capacity building
Legal frameworks, policies and rule of law / Accountability, compliance and transparencyÂ
TARGET 16.6
DEVELOP EFFECTIVE, ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENT INSTITUTIONS AT ALL LEVELS
Target 16.6 aims to develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions. Transparency serves to achieve accountability, which means that authorities can be held responsible for their actions. Effective tourism calls for reliable and accountable reporting systems; this includes transparency and access to expenditure made by tourism companies. Having checks and balances within a tourism institution is crucial. Therefore, this target is critical for tourism to achieve the SDGs as sustainable tourism needs clear and effective governance
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Legal frameworks, policies and rule of law / Accountability, compliance and transparencyÂ
Legal frameworks, policies and rule of law / Sustainability reports
TARGET 16.7
ENSURE RESPONSIVE, INCLUSIVE, PARTICIPATORY AND REPRESENTATIVE DECISION-MAKING AT ALL LEVELS
Tourism benefits from a representative decision-making system that is inclusive and responsive to ensure a fair and equitable environment for tourism to flourish. The need to be responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative in decision making in the tourism industry would increase the general level of the sectorâs effectiveness and accountability. Having all parties (men, women, vulnerable groups, etc.) involved in decision-making broadens perspectives, increases creativity and innovation, diversifies the pool of talents and competences and improves the process of decision making.
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Inclusion / Equality and inclusivity
TARGET 16.A
STRENGTHEN RELEVANT NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING THROUGH INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, FOR BUILDING CAPACITY AT ALL LEVELS, IN PARTICULAR IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AND COMBAT TERRORISM AND CRIME
Target 16.a recognizes the need to strengthen the capacities of national institutions, including tourism authorities, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime. Security threats related to urban and organized crime endanger tourism and its sustainable development, thus having a negative impact on the economic and social development of communities as well. Tourism enables the participation of civil rights organizations in international human rights discussions to raise concerns or challenges on violation. Tourism activities can, and should, be aligned with national and international efforts to combat violence, terrorism and crime and ensure that tourism projects can contribute to strengthen existing programmes in combating crime. The strengthening and coordination of crime prevention policies and effective responses can help to efficiently address security-related threats affecting citizens and tourists.
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Legal frameworks, policies and rule of law / Tourism policies and strategies
Legal frameworks, policies and rule of law / Tourism destination security
Education and training / Capacity building
TARGET 16.B
PROMOTE AND ENFORCE NON-DISCRIMINATORY LAWS AND POLICIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Tourism can contribute to this target by providing social standards that can strengthen the enforcement of non-discriminatory laws. This could include certification schemes, network platforms, businesses and host countries that adhere to non-discrimination laws. Tourismâs role in promoting understanding and ethical values common to humanity with an attitude of tolerance and respect for the diversity of religion, race, ability, size, gender and age aligns well with the set target.
Potential indicators in this target are grouped by the following Theme and sub-theme:
Inclusion / Equality and inclusivity
Education and training / Awareness raising
Education and training / Capacity building
