International Volunteer Tourism Thailand (IVTT) consultancy
Philosophy and Values
Volunteer tourism embraces the triple bottom line of enhancing the local economy, the environment, and society.
IVTT values a culture in which people can work together in partnership to promote a just society within a healthy natural environment; a culture in which people are aware of and respect other customs, traditions, and lifestyles; and a culture in which people are empowered to follow a direction of sustainability in their daily lives at home and while travelling.
These values include a sense of shared humanity and understanding, when people of different cultures have an opportunity to build friendships; dignity, where we accept and respect that local people have the best understanding of what is appropriate for their own communities; and accountability, where we ensure the professionalism, transparency and excellence of our volunteer projects.
Our wide-ranging partnerships reflect IVTT’s aims to utilize tourism in a progressive and educational form which will better contribute to global justice, sustainability, and peace.
Global Code of Ethics for Tourism
IVTT strives to promote the codes listed in Articles 1-9 of The World Tourism Organization's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism:
- Article 1: Tourism’s contribution to mutual understanding and respect between peoples and societies.
- Article 2: Tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfillment.
- Article 3: Tourism, a factor of sustainable development.
- Article 4: Tourism, a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and a contributor to its enhancement.
- Article 5: Tourism, a beneficial activity for host countries and communities.
- Article 6: Obligations of stakeholders in tourism development.
- Article 7: Right to tourism.
- Article 8: Liberty of tourist movements.
- Article 9: Rights of the workers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry.
Source: World Tourism Organization, Ethics in Tourism, 2006.
IVTT also strives to move from agenda to action by:
fulfilling the goals of Local Action 21, launched during the Local Government Session at the World Summit in Johannesburg in August 2002. (ICLEI Global, 2006).
contributing to rural development, community enrichment and social empowerment, particularly for women and children, through tourism, as described by the World Tourism Organization. (Tourism and Poverty Alleviation, WTO, 2006).