This survey aims to assist a research project being undertaken by an academic at the University of Westminster. The research aims to inform the government and the industry whether self-regulation offers an effective way to regulate the practices of the UK outbound tour operating industry. The research focuses in particular on operations in developing countries. You have been asked to participate because your company operates tours to developing countries, where regulatory issues are most complex because of varying legislative requirements. Your participation will help to generate conclusions that will increase understanding of the potential for self-regulation in these contexts. Answers will be treated in strict confidence and, if you wish, a copy of the final report will be sent directly to you. Please ensure that the survey is completed by someone who knows about your company's operations in developing countries. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP According to recent agreements 'ethical practices' means adopting measures to ensure that: Labour arrangements are not exploitative, and conform to local laws and international standards; a positive contribution is made to the local economy and infrastructure; the integrity of social structures and the rights of local people are maintained; and appropriate land acquisition/access procedures are followed. Which parts of the world does your company operate tours to? (tick any that are appropriate) Please indicate which category below best characterises the organisation you represent: 3. There are strong motivations for companies like ours to commit to voluntary codes of conduct. It is unfair for tour operators to be held responsible for the unethical actions of their suppliers. Large tour operators are able to implement improved ethical practices more easily than smaller ones. For companies like ours, the economic benefits of adopting more ethical practices outweigh the costs involved. Many tour operators act unethically, even when it is not in their best interests to do so. Consumers are easily able to identify firms in this sector that are acting ethically. Irreversible or acute threats are being caused by the unethical actions of companies in this sector. Tour operators take advantage of vulnerable people in developing countries. Companies like ours should adhere to ethical codes of conduct even if it disadvantages the company financially. New government regulations for companies like ours will be introduced if unethical practices continue. Consumer demand for a company like ours would drop if it were deemed to be acting unethically. Investors would be discouraged from investing in a company like ours if it were deemed to be acting unethically. The co-operation of key suppliers would be jeopardized if a company like ours were deemed to be acting unethically. We are very much aware of our rival companies’ actions and ethics. If companies like ours contravene ethical codes of practice, relevant logos and certification rights are usually removed. 18.If companies like ours contravene ethical codes of practice, they usually suffer because of public disclosure of their wrong doings. If companies like ours contravene ethical codes of practice, fines are usually imposed. If companies like ours contravene ethical codes of practice, they are usually forced to pay for appropriate remedial measures. If companies like ours contravene ethical codes of practice, they can be excluded from the sector. There is a strong tradition of co-operative action between our company and other tour operators. New government regulations are usually resisted strongly by companies in this sector. The fortunes of our company are closely tied to the fortunes of other operators. There is rapid turnover of technology in this sector. There is well organised industry representation (trade associations etc.) for this sector. Self-regulation, without further government intervention, can establish acceptable levels of ethical practice in this sector. In the developing countries we operate in, there are large differences between the ethical standards required by local governments and the standards normally expected by UK authorities. 29.In the developing countries we operate in, government regulations protecting the rights of destination communities are not properly enforced. In the developing countries we operate in, there are many unlicensed tour operators because of overly strict government regulation. Our company would be opposed to legislation which allowed overseas communities harmed by UK companies to seek justice through the UK courts. Which of these codes of conduct are you aware of? (tick as many as appropriate) Which of these codes of conduct do you actively try to keep to? (tick as many as appropriate) |
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