AMPOAN, JAMALIA L.

BSITM (TTO) 3A1 – 2

CASE STUDY ON ETHICAL ISSUES

Case # 1

One of the most famous animal attractions, and probably the most controversial, is
the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. The Temple is a popular tourist
destination and every day a hundred tourists or more visit, hoping for a chance to get
up close and personal with ‘rescued’ tigers. The Tiger Temple website describes itself
as a sanctuary, started when locals brought some orphaned cubs to the temple for
care and the Abbot took them in and cared for them. The official website claims that
there are seventeen tigers at the temple, seven of them orphans and ten bred on site.
But the reality is very different. In 2008, wildlife charity Care for the Wild International
released an undercover report called ‘Exploiting the Tiger’. The report used information
gathered from a variety of sources between 2005 and 2008 and uncovered disturbing
evidence of serious conservation and animal welfare concerns, including illegal tiger
trafficking, systematic physical abuse of the tigers held at the temple, and high risk
interactions between tigers and tourists. In 2013, promoted by a wave of media
concerns about the Tiger Temple, their CEO went back to see if things had changed.
Unfortunately, not much had. The key issues at the time of the visit centered on
animal welfare, health and safety and false marketing.

1. What article in the GCET was violated in the above scenario?

In this scenario, the violated GCET article was Article 3. Tiger Temple is not a
sustainable development factor. The tigers were not only exploited, but they were also
subjected to systematic physical torture. According to Article 3, Tourism, a factor of
sustainable development, states that tourism infrastructure should be designed and
tourism activities programmed in such a way as to protect the natural heritage
composed of ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as endangered species of wildlife;
stakeholders in tourism development, particularly professionals, should agree to the
imposition of limitations or constraints on their activities when these are imposed.
 2. Do you think using animal as a tourist attraction ethical? Why?

Using animals as a tourist attraction, in my opinion, may be both ethical and

unethical. Local communities, as ethical as some may claim, yet require these kind of
attractions to make a livelihood. The tourist business benefits if animal-related
attractions are operated responsibly, highlighting the need of caring for them, and
provide tourists with the opportunity to engage in productive interaction. It is also
unethical, because there are other reasons for tourists to avoid any attractions that
exploit an animal as a ride. Donkeys, elephants, camels, dolphins, goats, and other
animals may be included. Since the locals need money, they give you the opportunity
to ride an animal, and we are frequently mistaken if we imagine the money goes to
their food and well-being. Travel is a major industry, and animals are sometimes used
to earning money in ways that aren't always ideal for them.

3. What are the drawbacks of wildlife tourism?

More people can participate in wildlife tourism as the area develops. In a natural
setting, increased human activity has the potential to seriously harm the fragile
ecosystem, the balance of food webs, biological groups, and keystone species in a
certain region. This may be a serious issue since some wild animals dislike being
around humans, and humans frequently leave garbage and other things in the
environment that might harm the species' habitat.

Case # 2
Every year, countless numbers of children are sexually abused by tourists. Child sex
tourism is the commercial sexual exploitation of children in tourism. It exists all over
the world and is committed by both foreign and domestic tourists. Despite concerted
international efforts to combat child sex tourism, it is an increasing phenomenon. The
internet, low cost travel, border relaxations and visa free travel are making it more
challenging to monitor and prevent. Meanwhile, endemic poverty in tourism
destinations all over the world ensures that there will be people in positions of power
willing to exploit vulnerable children.

In Vietnam, a child’s services can be sold for just a few pounds with the trafficking of
child sex workers becoming increasingly popular.

Known child sex tourism hotspots include Cambodia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican
Republic, Eastern Europe, The Gambia, India, Kenya, The Philippines, Senegal, Sri
Lanka, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Tobago, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
 1. What article in the GCET was violated in the above event?

Foreign and local visitors engage in child sex tourism, and tourists sexually assault
many of children each year. The above event violated Article 2: Tourism as a vehicle
for individual and collective fulfillment. It declares unequivocally that any type of
exploitation of human beings, including sexual exploitation, especially when directed
at children, is incompatible with the core goals of tourism and is a form of
exploitation.

2. Do you agree that when we place a monetary value on people, especially

children, we reduce humanity in the lowest level imaginable?

Yes, I agree that humans cannot be purchased for whatever amount of money. Human
trafficking is the illegal selling and purchasing of men, women, and children for
nefarious purpose. Human trafficking is far more than a societal blight. It's a threat
that goes against all of the fundamental ideals of human rights, fairness, and dignity.
Physical and sexual abuse, threats and expulsion, false promises, economic and
psychological pressure, and cruelty are all used by traffickers to profit from their
victims' forced labor and commercial prostitution.

3. If you were a government official, what will you do to stop sex tourism and child
exploitation in the tourism industry?

Child sex tourism has already been a matter of concern of the international
community.
More children are becoming victims of child trafficking in order to be used for sexual
purposes. Spreading awareness is the most powerful weapon in the fight against
human trafficking. This is a clear call to action for this humanitarian problem that can
make a difference. Child trafficking can be efficiently disrupted and many lives can be
saved through connecting. Apps and social media are the two examples since advance
technology has been part of our daily lives.
To effectively combat these activities, authorities must use a systematic and
coordinated approach to prosecute online human smugglers and those who sexually
assault children. Ensure that victims of human trafficking are safe and well-cared for,
as well as provide preventative education to raise awareness and assist reduce human
human trafficking and child abuse throughout the world.
Case Study #3

In 2012, a policeman was caught on video instructing members of the remote Jarawa
tribe to dance for tourists, who threw bananas and biscuits at them like animals in a
zoo. Aside from the deeply dehumanizing element of such behavior, promoting tribal
people as an “attraction” is deeply problematic because the tribe often receive little to
none of the money tourism brings. Remote tribes or those with limited contact with
the outside world are also at high risk of disease, predatory sex and exploitation.

1. What article in the GCET was violated in the above scenario where they treat
human as part of a safari?

The violated article in this scenario was Article 2: Tourism as a vehicle for individual
and collective fulfillment.
According to Article 2, "Tourism activities shall respect men and women's equality and
promote human rights, particularly women's rights. Individual rights of the most
vulnerable groups, such as children and the elderly, are especially significant.

People with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and indigenous peoples are among those
who face discrimination "Obviously, the policeman not only violated the above-
mentioned clause by instructing members of the distant Jarawa tribe to dance for
visitors, but he also threw bananas and biscuits at them like zoo animals.

2. What are the destructive effects of tribal tourism?

Tribal tourism, sometimes known as "human zoos" or "human safaris," is a type of
tourism that involves visiting tribes. In several locations, there are an enormous
concern in more distant locales.
Local tribes are exploited, which benefits travel operators. Tribal tourism is a new type
of tourism in which tribes invite visitors to visit their communities in order to be
"exposed to a culture radically different from their own." This option to witness
"genuine" indigenous living has increased in appeal globally in recent years.

In areas where tribal tourism has grown quite popular, some indigenous tribes'
traditions have evolved to the point that some significant spiritual ceremonies have
become spectacles. Indigenous peoples who do not want to be contacted by the outside
world have also been hurt by tribal tourism. Many tourism firms have tried to exploit
these isolated indigenous groups as a result of the expansion of tribal tourism.
 3. Is it ethical or unethical to visit tribal people? How are we going to take care of
tribes and indigenous groups in our society?
It is improper for visitors to visit indigenous people if there is even a small amount of
harm. Perhaps the best way to make tribal tourism more ethical and preserve
indigenous tribes from foreign exploitation is to inform visitors about the negative
effects that tribal tourism can have on indigenous cultures. Travelers interested in
engaging in a kind of tribal tourism should learn about the tribe that they intend to
visit, and guarantee that any monetary donations go directly to the indigenous people.
Case Study #4

Hospitality Training

Larry, a high school kid looking for a summer job, was hired as a cook at a nearby
restaurant. Larry had no experience working in kitchens, but the supervisor who hired
him, explained that it wasn’t necessary, because they would train him.

On Larry’s first day, he was paired with a Senior Line Cook by the name of Tyler. Tyler
wasn’t especially thrilled with the idea of having to train a new guy on the busiest
night of the week, and expressed his concerns to the manager. “You’re our most senior
employee, so that makes you the most qualified person to do the training.” A
frustrated Tyler didn’t say much after that – and aside from giving Larry a nod of
acknowledgement, his only words to him were “watch, and stay out of my way.” By the
time the main dinner rush hit, the entire kitchen line was bustling with activity and
Tyler was doing his best to call orders, time out bills, and cook all at the same time. As
more and more orders came in, the stress level in the kitchen had increased
dramatically. It was at this point Tyler turned to Larry and barked, “I need you to run
to the fridge and get me more hamburger meat!” Afraid to ask any questions, Larry
quickly turned to look for the fridge, and as instructed, “ran” through the kitchen line
to get more meat. A cook, unaware that Larry was coming through, turned to put up a
dish, and collided with Larry. He never heard him coming.

Discuss some of the issues surrounding Larry’s first day of training:

1. Identify and list all the things that went wrong on Larry’s first day.
First, Larry's supervisor promised to teach him and connect him with Tyler, a senior
line chef. Tyler was unhappy about teaching Larry on the busiest night of the week,
and he voiced his displeasure to the management. Since the boss was annoyed by
Tyler's position, he just urged Larry to keep an eye on him and stay out of his way.
Even though the entire kitchen was busy, the stress level in the kitchen escalated as
more orders came in. Larry was told to dash to the refrigerator, so he dashed and
collided with the cook, who was completely ignorant of his presence.

2. When selecting an employee to do training, how much does seniority factor in

on your decision, and why? If an employee is good at their job, does that
automatically make them a good trainer, and why?

Seniority will also be a reference point because they have the greatest experience to
provide, but you should not base your selection only on this. Although a trainer
should be a seasoned professional, they should nevertheless "attempt to share the
experience" and be able to describe it. Not all senior staff are on board with the idea.
Assume an employee does an excellent job. In such situation, it does not necessarily
imply that they are a competent teacher, because many people are skilled at their jobs
but lack the necessary communication skills to offer effective training.
3. What is the KEY takeaway your group has learned from this case study? What
ethical trait Tyler should have shown to Larry?

Several factors must be considered when creating a training plan: who will teach, the
best shift to educate, company levels, and previous employment experience. The
trainee's background, age, and so on. Respect, patience, honesty, and compassion are
Tyler's ethical qualities that he should have demonstrated to Larry.
While Tyler is an experienced and professional Senior line chef, it was demonstrated in
the scenario that he failed to offer Larry with necessary help and directions.

Tyler should have displayed Temperance along with Wisdom as an ethical

characteristic, since Larry would have avoided committing such a mistake. If Tyler had
been patient with him and supplied him with enough information, he would not have
made such a mistake.
The most essential thing I learned from this case study, in my opinion, is the
importance of being accountable and capable of carrying out a certain task.