Paradise for sale: the impact of the tourism industry on the right of host population to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health

Abstract

The paper discusses human rights impacts that are inevitably associated with tourism development. The attention is focused upon the selected right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. First, to provide a foundation for the analysis of the relationship between the tourism and the right to health the paper elaborates on the scope and key elements of the right to health. It is underlined that the right to health is an inclusive right that embraces a wide range of socio-economic conditions for a healthy life and that extends to the underlying determinants of health, such as access to safe water and sanitation, food and nutrition, housing, and a healthy environment. The paper continues with the examination of the impact of the tourism industry on the health determining conditions in host populations. It is emphasized that current tourism development paradigms are wrongly based on quantity and satisfaction of the tourists rather than on quality and benefit for host populations. As a result, tourism activities have adverse impacts on the local conditions necessary to achieve and maintain a good status of health. Against this background, the paper further addresses the issue of the obligations of various actors within the tourism industry, namely States, companies and individuals building upon relevant human rights instruments and initiatives for voluntary actions. The final part discusses ways to promote conditions for a healthy life within the tourism development and to encourage responsible tourism that is managed with due regard to the needs and rights of host populations.