Tourism and hospitality operations can unintentionally harm Indigenous Peoples by disrupting cultural traditions, restricting access to land or resources, or disregarding Indigenous rights and knowledge systems. Where Indigenous Peoples are present, respectful engagement and informed decision-making are essential to prevent harm, avoid cultural appropriation, and support the protection of cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and community well-being.
The establishment ensures that its operations, developments, and guest experiences respect Indigenous Peoples while safeguarding their rights and access to essential resources and culturally significant sites. This includes a commitment to cultural integrity, equitable benefit-sharing, and the protection of social and environmental well-being.
To conform with this criterion, the establishment assesses whether Indigenous Peoples are present within a 100km radius of the establishment. When assessing the presence of Indigenous Peoples, the establishment may refer to publicly available or locally recognised information, including:
- recognised Indigenous people or territories in the area;
- Indigenous cultural, historical, archaeological, or spiritual sites, routes, traditions, or practices; and
- UNESCO World Heritage or Intangible Cultural Heritage designations associated with Indigenous people.
If the assessment confirms that no Indigenous Peoples or Indigenous cultural assets are present within this radius, this criterion is considered Not Applicable (N/A).
Where Indigenous Peoples are identified, the establishment ensures that its guest-facing activities, site management, and development decisions respect Indigenous rights, culture, and access to resources. This means that the establishment ensures that:
- all representations of Indigenous people (e.g. guest materials, performances, crafts, storytelling, décor) are developed in consultation with relevant Indigenous people. This includes written consent, and fair compensation, where applicable;
- the authenticity and essence of Indigenous rituals, dances or ceremonies shared with tourists are preserved and presented in alignment with community-approved practices, including those recognised as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage;
- any re-design of community spaces or biodiversity-related initiatives (e.g. green space creation, native species planting, habitat restoration, nature-based tourism experiences) integrates traditional or Indigenous ecological knowledge and includes consultation to identify and mitigate risks of cultural or social degradation (e.g. displacement, loss of traditions);
- access to essential services and resources (e.g. food, water, healthcare, sanitation, education, livelihoods, natural resources, or culturally significant sites) is not restricted or compromised by the establishment’s operations;
- if applicable, free, prior, and informed written consent (FPIC) is obtained for the use or acquisition of land and water resources, and strictly complies with local zoning, heritage, and environmental protection regulations; and
- essential on-site services (e.g. medical facilities) are shared with surrounding communities when such services are otherwise unavailable.
During the audit, the establishment presents an overview of the assessment identifying Indigenous Peoples, cultural assets, and heritage sites, or a justified explanation if the assessment shows that none are present.
In specific circumstances, and depending on the outcome of the mapping, the establishment presents:
- examples of guest-facing materials (e.g. guest brochures, storytelling elements, décor) that accurately reflect approved Indigenous content and credit cultural knowledge holders or creators;
- if applicable, demonstration of how the essence of traditional rituals, dances, or ceremonies is preserved, e.g. evidence of consultation with Indigenous people, such as meeting minutes, written agreements, or letters of consent;
- if applicable, site maps, zoning compliance documentation, and agreements (FPIC) with Indigenous people confirming that the establishments’ operations do not prevent access for Indigenous people to essential resources and culturally significant sites. If the auditor observes inconsistencies or suspects irregularities, at least 1 anonymous interview with Indigenous people is conducted to verify that no evidence of active disputes, legal complaints, or documented conflicts related to access exists;
- if applicable, in cases of re-design of community spaces or biodiversity-related initiatives, documentation of any biodiversity-related or community-based initiatives (e.g. design plans, project descriptions) that show the integration of traditional ecological knowledge and inclusive planning processes; and/or
- where relevant, confirmation that public-facing services (e.g. medical facilities, shops) are accessible to Indigenous people.
Tourism and hospitality operations can unintentionally harm Indigenous Peoples by disrupting cultural traditions, restricting access to land or resources, or disregarding Indigenous rights and knowledge systems. Where Indigenous Peoples are present, respectful engagement and informed decision-making are essential to prevent harm, avoid cultural appropriation, and support the protection of cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and community well-being.
The establishment ensures that its operations, developments, and guest experiences respect Indigenous Peoples while safeguarding their rights and access to essential resources and culturally significant sites. This includes a commitment to cultural integrity, equitable benefit-sharing, and the protection of social and environmental well-being.
To conform with this criterion, the establishment assesses whether Indigenous Peoples are present within a 100km radius of the establishment. When assessing the presence of Indigenous Peoples, the establishment may refer to publicly available or locally recognised information, including:
- recognised Indigenous people or territories in the area;
- Indigenous cultural, historical, archaeological, or spiritual sites, routes, traditions, or practices; and
- UNESCO World Heritage or Intangible Cultural Heritage designations associated with Indigenous people.
If the assessment confirms that no Indigenous Peoples or Indigenous cultural assets are present within this radius, this criterion is considered Not Applicable (N/A).
Where Indigenous Peoples are identified, the establishment ensures that its guest-facing activities, site management, and development decisions respect Indigenous rights, culture, and access to resources. This means that the establishment ensures that:
- all representations of Indigenous people (e.g. guest materials, performances, crafts, storytelling, décor) are developed in consultation with relevant Indigenous people. This includes written consent, and fair compensation, where applicable;
- the authenticity and essence of Indigenous rituals, dances or ceremonies shared with tourists are preserved and presented in alignment with community-approved practices, including those recognised as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage;
- any re-design of community spaces or biodiversity-related initiatives (e.g. green space creation, native species planting, habitat restoration, nature-based tourism experiences) integrates traditional or Indigenous ecological knowledge and includes consultation to identify and mitigate risks of cultural or social degradation (e.g. displacement, loss of traditions);
- access to essential services and resources (e.g. food, water, healthcare, sanitation, education, livelihoods, natural resources, or culturally significant sites) is not restricted or compromised by the establishment’s operations;
- if applicable, free, prior, and informed written consent (FPIC) is obtained for the use or acquisition of land and water resources, and strictly complies with local zoning, heritage, and environmental protection regulations; and
- essential on-site services (e.g. medical facilities) are shared with surrounding communities when such services are otherwise unavailable.
During the audit, the establishment presents an overview of the assessment identifying Indigenous Peoples, cultural assets, and heritage sites, or a justified explanation if the assessment shows that none are present.
In specific circumstances, and depending on the outcome of the mapping, the establishment presents:
- examples of guest-facing materials (e.g. guest brochures, storytelling elements, décor) that accurately reflect approved Indigenous content and credit cultural knowledge holders or creators;
- if applicable, demonstration of how the essence of traditional rituals, dances, or ceremonies is preserved, e.g. evidence of consultation with Indigenous people, such as meeting minutes, written agreements, or letters of consent;
- if applicable, site maps, zoning compliance documentation, and agreements (FPIC) with Indigenous people confirming that the establishments’ operations do not prevent access for Indigenous people to essential resources and culturally significant sites. If the auditor observes inconsistencies or suspects irregularities, at least 1 anonymous interview with Indigenous people is conducted to verify that no evidence of active disputes, legal complaints, or documented conflicts related to access exists;
- if applicable, in cases of re-design of community spaces or biodiversity-related initiatives, documentation of any biodiversity-related or community-based initiatives (e.g. design plans, project descriptions) that show the integration of traditional ecological knowledge and inclusive planning processes; and/or
- where relevant, confirmation that public-facing services (e.g. medical facilities, shops) are accessible to Indigenous people.