An association of U.S. Travelers to Cuba
Mission Statement
RESPECT (Responsible and Ethical Cuba Travel) is a U.S.
professional association uniting nonprofit entities, travel agents, tour
operators and other travel service providers dedicated to practicing and
promoting ethical and socially responsible travel to Cuba.
Principles
Members of the Association agree to uphold the following
principles in organizing travel to Cuba:
1. We
understand that the opportunity to visit Cuba is a step towards promoting
mutual understanding and learning, through firsthand respectful exchanges,
contributing to more informed, pro-active and responsible global citizenship on
the part of all concerned.
2. We
frame our Principles in the context of the internationally agreed-upon UN
Sustainable Development Goals and respect for Cuba’s path to sustainable
development, as determined by Cubans themselves.
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs,
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sdgoverview/post-2015-development-agenda.html)
3. “First
do no harm” – the cornerstone of medical ethics worldwide – is fundamental to
the principles that guide our organizations and those who travel to Cuba with
us, respecting historical sites and natural
areas and leaving them as we find them without disturbing their peace and
sanctity .
4. We
encourage our travelers – before they travel – to learn about Cuba and its
history from a variety of sources, including Cuban sources.
5. We
are committed to transparency in our relations with all Cuban entities and
people, accurately and honestly representing ourselves and our intentions.
6. We
affirm our commitment to respect all Cubans, without regard to skin color, gender,
sexual orientation, religion, age, political persuasion, abilities or economic
status.
7. We
are committed to upholding non-exploitative relationships with Cuban entities
and people, and respect for policies and laws enacted to prevent discrimination
and exploitation of all kinds.
8. We
promote healthy and respectful travel to Cuba and vehemently oppose “sex tourism”
and associated businesses in any form, all of these prohibited by Cuban law.
9. We
are committed to support Cuba’s efforts to confront climate change and protect
the environment, actively contributing to conservation of energy and water
resources, as well as protection of urban and rural landscapes, flora, fauna,
beaches and marine life.
10. We
will respect the authenticity of Cuban culture, its heritage, multiple roots
and manifestations, as well as the cultural contributions of the Cuban people
to world culture. We will consciously help to care for and maintain the
country’s UNESCO-identified World Heritage Sites and other monuments and sites
that constitute part of Cuba’s cultural patrimony.
11. We
will abide by Cuban laws and regulations pertinent to our travel, including but
not limited to immigration and customs regulations.
12. We
are committed to protecting the health of our travelers and the Cuban people,
by doing our part to keep infectious diseases and prohibited drugs from
entering Cuba.
13. We
encourage travelers to purchase products made in Cuba particularly from those
who contribute to local development efforts, giving back to their communities.
14. We
uphold the rights of travelers and their hosts in Cuba to be treated with
respect and dignity, and commit ourselves to addressing issues of concern in
this area through established mechanisms between the Association and its Cuban
counterparts, in a spirit of constructive dialogue and joint reflection.
15. We
believe all US citizens and residents have the right to travel to Cuba, and
advocate lifting all US governmental travel restrictions to the island.
16. As
an Association, we encourage our members’ efforts to support travel to Cuba by
people of modest means, making the island a destination for the many, not just
the few.
17. The
Association supports Cuba’s contribution to the Caribbean as a zone of peace,
and as a safe and peaceful destination for all travelers.
RESPECT MEETING
Hotel Melia
Cohiba
Havana, Cuba
September 29
and 30, 2017
Draft
Program (subject to change):
Friday, September 29
8:00am Registration (Participants will collect
registration material and pay the
250
CUC Registration Fee)
Sustainable Tourism and the Impact of the Significant
Increase in Visitors:
The View from Cuba
For the first day, many Cuban organizations and
institutions have been invited to participate and exchange with us including
the Cuban Friendship Institute (ICAP), the Ministries of Foreign Affairs
(MINREX), Tourism (MINTUR), Education (MINED), Culture (MINCULT) and Public
Health (MINSAP), the National Assembly, Cuba’s Environmental Agency (Agencia de
Media Ambiente), Office of the City Historian, the Dr. Martin Luther King
Center, the National Union of Writers and Artists (UNEAC) , University of
Havana, the authorized Cuban tour operators for the U.S. market, Cuban Sports
Federation (INDER), Cuban Council of Churches, Patronato Jewish Community
Center, Central Trade Union Federation (CTC), Small Farmers Association (ANAP),
Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) , the National Union of Cuban Jurists (UNJC),
Casa de las Americas, and the Antonio Nuñez Jimenez Foundation (FANJ)
Morning presentations and exchanges
Welcome and introduction of our
theme: Bob Guild, Co-Coordinator,
RESPECT
Presentation
by Elio Gámez, Vice President of ICAP, President of Amistur
Presentation by the Ministry of
Tourism (MINTUR): “How Cuba coordinates efforts towards sustainable tourism:
Remarks from a representative
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX)
Presentation by Cuba’s
Environmental Agency
Lunch at the hotel
Afternoon
roundtable discussions
Roundtable 1
Presentation on “Tourism and
the Protection of Cuba’s Cultural Patrimony” by a representative from the Union
of Writers and Artists (UNEAC)
Discussion and Exchange on
Sustainable and Ethical Travel to Cuba
Roundtable
2
Presentation
on “Tourism and its impact on Cuban workers” by a representative
from
Cuba’s trade union federation (CTC)
Discussion and Exchange on
Sustainable and Ethical Travel to Cuba
7:00pm Welcome Reception at the Hotel
Melia Cohiba
Saturday, September 30
9:00am Short
presentations by the other Cuban tour agencies working with the U.S.
including
Havanatur, San Cristobal, Cubatur, Cubanacan, and Gaviota
RESPECT
Internal Meeting
10:00am In his June 16th speech
announcing new restrictions on travel and doing business in Cuba, President
Trump indicated further details would be announced by the Treasury, Commerce,
and State Departments by September 15th. We will have an update and
discussion of these restrictions.
Morning and
Afternoon
Sessions
-
The Principles of Respect based on the previous day’s
discussions and exchanges: strengthening, amending, adding principles.
-
Promoting the Principles of Respect in our work
-
Proposals and ideas for activities of Respect
-
Structure of Respect: 501C3 status, Grants, Staffing,
Newsletter
-
Expanding the membership
-
Leadership expansion
-
Membership dues
-
Open exchange and observations
6:00pm Farewell Reception at Casa de la Amistad
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