GOVERNING GLOBAL TRAVEL: PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW, ETHICS AND TOURISM

Once the privilege of a wealthy elite in the 19th century, tourism has evolved into a high volume, trillion-dollar global industry, reshaping economies, societies and the reach of public international law. As it expanded across borders, tourism’s transnational character, the potential for adverse effects, and engagement with shared global values have made it a subject of international regulation. Its remarkable growth culminated in the 2019 adoption of the Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics by UN Tourism - the first treaty of its kind adopted and managed by a UN Specialized Agency specifically addressing the sector. This paper examines the legal distinctions between the Framework Convention and its predecessor, the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, situating their evolution within broader shifts in international law and global governance. It further examines the institutional, political and socio-economic contexts in which these instruments emerged, arguing that the interplay between soft law and treaty law in tourism governance shows a pragmatic approach to international cooperation, with practical implications for domestic legal frameworks.