arbeitskreis tourismus & entwicklung (akte)
Missionsstr. 21
4003 Basel
Switzerland
Contact person: Katja Erny
+41 (0)61 261 47 42
+41 (0)61 261 47 21
info@akte.ch
katja.erny@akte.ch
http://www.akte.ch
http://www.fairunterwegs.org
Topics
- Aid for developing countries
- Media project
About us
The arbeitskreis tourismus & entwicklung (akte – Working Group on Tourism and Development) is a non-profit organisation concerned with the social, cultural, economic and ecological impacts of tourism on development. It aims to raise public awareness, advocates fair trade in tourism in a critical dialogue with the travel industry, and encourages travellers to be informed consumers.
akte was founded in 1977 by a number of Swiss development organisations, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and committed tourism operators. Today, the main source of support for the Workings Group’s activities are the 130 members of the association, among them several development organisations and – with a special membership status – also travel agencies, the SDC and the State Secretariate of Economy (SECO), as well as various foundations.
At the akte-office in Basel 5 permanent staff members are working on a part time basis, supplied by additional experts and 1-3 regular trainees (students from the University of Basel).
akte monitors current trends in tourism and produces reports, information kits, and educational material on various human right issues related to tourism and sustainable development.
Within the framework of the program “Fair Trade on Holiday” launched in 1997, akte is examining critically the opportunities and challenges of the concept of fair trade in the complex service sector tourism.
In 2006, akte has launched the web-portal www.fairunterwegs.org for travellers with the aim to increase the demand for fairly traded tourism services. Currently well over a 1'000 users are visiting daily this unique non-profit travel portal.
For other net participants we can give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.