UN Campaign Engages Tourists In Fight Against Counterfeits

Three United Nations agencies have announced that they are uniting forces to fight trafficking, urging travelers to act responsively.

In a press release, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced their joint anti-trafficking campaign at the International Tourism Bourse in Berlin on 5 March.

The campaign entitled, “Your Actions Count – Be a Responsible Traveller,” targets illicit goods and services that tourists might be exposed to while travelling, according to the release, including wildlife, cultural artefacts, illicit drugs and counterfeit goods.

UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov said, “Travellers have a responsibility not to contribute to the profits being generated through organized crime.” Irina Bokova, UNESCO director general, said tourists are easy targets for dealers selling cultural artefacts. “They are usually unaware that these ‘souvenirs’ may be stolen heritage,” according to the release.

Former World Trade Organization director general, Pascal Lamy, who has newly been appointed chairperson of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics, gave his “full support to the initiative,” the release said. “In the light of the ever-growing number of international tourists, we need to promote a more ethical and responsible behavior among travellers.”

The campaign also gained the support of tourism companies Marriott International and Sabre Holdings.