A/78/162 assess risk and validate the authenticity of Indigenous-led tourism. It sets national standards for Indigenous tourism to enable businesses to evaluate their market readiness and apply for accreditation. The programme was developed in partnership with Tourism HR Canada and reflects International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards. Trade associations, international tour operators, travel agents, Destination Canada, marketing organizations and other consumers rely on this mark of excellence to help promote authenticity and quality Indigenous tourism experiences while giving access to lucrative travel trade networks and new visitor/consumer markets. 92 54. The private sector has developed a set of practical guidelines for use by travel companies that work with Indigenous communities around the world “to encourage responsible conduct and guide good business practices that serve and protect the interests of Indigenous communities and travel companies as well as produce visitor experiences that are authentic, respectful and rewarding”. 93 The guidelines were created in consultation with Indigenous tourism experts and cover a number of areas, including full and effective participation, equitable management, free, prior and informed consent, respect for Indigenous knowledge, protection of cultural heritage, fair labour, local purchasing and ownership. 94 55. In 2011, UNWTO adopted the Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. Companies that sign the Commitment agree to uphold and promote the values of sustainable tourism development, including the protection of human rights and vulnerable groups, and report on their implementation to the UNWTO World Committee on Tourism Ethics. 95 As of 2021, 450 companies and trade associations from 68 countries had adhered to the Commitment and reported on their implementation, 96 and 130 entities have been suspended. 97 The private sector has an obligation to undertake due diligence according to the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other voluntary commitments. Companies and investors engaged in tourism face higher credit risks when they do not respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights in implementing projects that could negatively affect them. 98 VII. Indigenous-led tourism A. Barriers to Indigenous led-tourism 56. Indigenous Peoples have developed their own community-based tourism enterprises to directly benefit their members, with or without support from the State. To further advance Indigenous Peoples’ self-determined development through tourism, several barriers must be addressed. 57. Indigenous tourism companies tend to be smaller with fewer employees, leading to capacity and financial literacy challenges with programme applications, access to information and other administrative burdens and bureaucratic barriers. In the case of Indigenous tourism operators applying for financial assistance, there may be a lack of access to or awareness of capital funding programmes, including access to stable funding that allows long-term planning and investment, and a lack of adequate __________________ 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 16/25 Submission by Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada. G Adventures, Planeterra and George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies, “Indigenous People and the Travel Industry: Global Good Practice Guidelines ”. Submission by Indigenous Tourism Collaborative of the Americas. For a list of signatories, see https://www.unwto.org/private-sector-signatories-of-the-commitment. Report of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics A/24/11. Report of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics A/23/11. Submission by First Peoples Worldwide. 23-13642