Part of the beijing declaration

Editor's note: The First World Conference on Tourism for Development, jointly hosted by the United Nations World Tourism Organization and China, issued a declaration, titled "The Beijing Declaration on Sustainable Tourism as a Driver of Development and Peace" that calls for utilizing tourism as a means to bring about peace and global development. The following are excerpts:

We, the representatives of tourism administrations, international and regional organizations, the private sector, academia and civil society, gathered at the First World Conference on Tourism for Development.

The UNWTO's mandate states that the fundamental aim of the organization shall be the promotion and development of tourism with a view to contributing to economic development, international understanding, peace and prosperity and universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.