Principle 2 - Adhere to International Codes

Follow the World Tourism Organization’s (WTO) Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the Principles of the Cultural Tourism Charter established by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).


View the
WTO Global
Code of Ethics
The WTO firmly believes that tourism represents a vital force for peace and a factor of friendship and understanding among the peoples of the world. The Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park is perhaps one of the best examples of cooperation and stewardship in a world of shared resources.In 1932, Waterton Lakes National Park (located in Alberta, Canada and established in 1895) was combined with Glacier National Park (located in Montana, United States and established in 1910) to form the world’s first International Peace Park. Both parks are declared biosphere reserves by UNESCO and the conjoined park is now a United Nations World Heritage Site. The Peace Park was established for two primary reasons:

  1. To facilitate stronger shared management of park resources, recognizing that rivers, lakes and wildlife do not abide by administrative and international borders
  2. To celebrate and constantly reaffirm the commitment of two sovereign nations to maintain friendly relations

Examples of cooperation within the Peace Park include: wildlife and vegetation management, search and rescue programs, and shared interpretive efforts such as joint hikes, programs and exhibits. Rotarians, park managers, family and friends reaffirm the peace with an annual ceremony where they hold hands across the border and recite ” “In the name of God we will not take up arms against each other. We will work for peace, maintain liberty, strive for freedom and demand equal opportunities for all mankind. May the long existing peace between our two nations stimulate other people to follow this example.”

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