In general, tourism law includes general government policies and related hotel platforms that must be adhered to and implemented. In recent decades, there has been a considerable amount of research on the specific theme of tourism activities, focusing on internal tourism movements. However, the jurisprudential study on the nature of tourism regulation is still in its infancy. In addition, hotel and tourism business managers need to understand not only the day-to-day operations of their organization, but also the legal elements of hotel and tourism management as a whole. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the objective of travel legislation is to provide a regulatory framework for the proper development and management of tourism activities. Ideally, this contributes to the conservation of natural resources and the preservation of cultural traditions. As an added benefit, travel consumers and organisations benefit from basic legal protection. However, the creation and enforcement of tourism laws is particularly lax around the world. Not only do some developing countries have poor travel infrastructure, but they also lack resources or protection for non-indigenous visitors. Naturally, popular countries also find it difficult to monitor and enforce laws aimed at protecting tourists, as the large number of unscrupulous visitors and businessmen target tourists. In short, the Tourism Act refers to either general government regulations or specific travel and hospitality industry laws. Below is an overview of tourism laws and an explanation of why they are so important to travel consumers. The tourism and hospitality industry represents a wide range of businesses, including accommodation, restaurants, tourist destinations and attractions, airlines and other means of transportation.
However, Ethiopia has yet to give the sector the focus it deserves through “tourism laws” that can give a clear picture to the community, investors and the government in particular, as well as all other stakeholders in general. A partnership with the community and other stakeholders should be designed and implemented through laws that create a win-win mentality among all stakeholders to achieve tangible results and increase industry revenues. The laws that govern tourism tend to be disorganized and not standardized. However, each tourism law aims to protect consumers and travel organizations. Tourism and hospitality are closely linked to laws and regulations. It helps ensure that tourists and industry operators are housed in a fair and equitable environment. It is also very important that industrial operators are aware of this so that they can avoid legal action or fines against them. Tourism law is a unique area of law that includes general government regulations and specific rules of the travel and hospitality industry. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the objective of the Tourism Law is to provide a legal and regulatory framework for tourism development and management, the preservation of cultural traditions and natural resources, and to facilitate the participation of the private sector and local communities in tourism development activities.
What is the Tourism Act and why do we need it? The main objective of the Tourism Law is to create a regulatory framework for the proper use, development and control of tourism activities, with the support of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). In essence, the existence of legislation will contribute to the preservation of cultural traditions as well as the conservation of natural resources, among other social, political and economic benefits. In addition, passengers and other stakeholders could benefit from basic legal protection through transparent procedures. Today, popular countries in the industry are struggling to follow and implement practical legislation to safeguard tourism activities and ensure the resulting benefits. Tourism law is an exclusive area of law that combines basic government laws with the rules governing the travel and hospitality industry. The goal of travel laws, in line with U.S. legal policy, is to create a legal framework for the proper growth and control of tourism businesses. Tourism laws are a mix of state, federal, and international laws that govern many parts and activities of the tourism sector. Travel law, for example, can include everything from health guidelines for the hospitality community to employment. The main purpose of the Tourism Act is to provide an unbiased and equal atmosphere for travelers and travel organizations. For example, the Tourism Act comes into play when it comes to products and facilities provided, as well as circumstances in which rules are in place to ensure that restaurants serve safe food and have safe premises. The main objective of tourism legislation is to provide a regulatory framework for the proper use, development and management of tourism activities, which is also supported by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
In principle, among other social, political and economic benefits, the existence of the law will also promote the preservation of cultural traditions and the conservation of natural resources. In addition, travellers and other stakeholders can obtain basic legal protection through transparent mechanisms. In addition, tourism law also plays an important role in cases or situations related to terrorism, natural disasters, demonstrations and epidemics, where visitors and tourists must be aware of their rights and the safety precautions that should or could be taken at that time. The Tourism Act provides guidance and imposes responsibilities and obligations on industry actors to ensure the safety and well-being of tourists or visitors under their care in cases beyond their control, as outlined above. Nevertheless, the formulation and enforcement of tourism laws is neglected not only in Ethiopia, but also in most parts of Africa. Some African countries not only have poor infrastructure, but also offer no protection to tourists, which is especially crucial for non-indigenous visitors. Today, popular countries in the industry struggle to follow and enforce pragmatic laws to protect tourism activities and ensure the resulting benefits. The Motel Hotel Fire Safety Act of 1990 is an important law passed in 1990 to protect guests from accidents. This law ensures that all motels and three-story hotels are equipped with fire extinguishers and a sprinkler system in each room. The Law The Truth in Menus is an addition that protects customers from poor service and foods of dangerous or unknown origin and preparation. This law requires all restaurants to be honest when making statements about the quality of their food, where it was purchased and how it is prepared. In addition to these industry standards, the OSHA Act was developed to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of all workers and individuals legally connected to a workplace.
Hotel law can be defined as the legal and social practice relating to the treatment of persons attending an establishment. Hotel laws can be applied in a variety of contexts, with the hospitality industry being the most widespread. The hospitality industry includes restaurants, accommodations, event planning, travel, and tourism. Restaurants and other restaurants are the establishments most associated with hotel law. Formally, hotel laws require public institutions to comply with guidelines to protect guests and guests. Hotel laws usually take the form of settlement regulations, but they are always concerned with protecting guests from unfair practices. Tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry and Malaysia has generated a huge amount of revenue from tourism. According to the New Straits Times, tourism generated about RM 84.1 billion in revenue for the Malaysian economy in 2018.
The industry includes areas such as transportation, accommodation, currency exchange, immigration and customs, duties and taxes, among others. Travel law refers to the regulations that govern the conduct of companies and individuals in the travel industry, while international travel law refers to the laws, processes, agreements, and contracts that govern international travel. Travel law is a somewhat specialized legal topic that could be particularly intriguing, as it may require pursuing a claim in a foreign jurisdiction. It deals with a wide range of issues, such as international accident disputes, contract recovery disputes against foreign suppliers, package travel regulations, and compliance with international and domestic regulations. According to Lawrina.com website, the aim is to promote legal principles such as public law, tort law, fiduciary law, labour law and contract law, as well as the regulation of international travel law. Contract law, labor law, tourism and hospitality practices, antitrust restrictions, compliance with regulations and authorities, and knowledge of certain international treaties and treaties are all incorporated into international travel law to provide a comprehensive set of rules for the travel industry. Like any other industry, tourism has its own special rules and regulations. General laws such as contracts and tort apply to the tourism industry, while specific laws such as the Tourism Industry Act 1992, the Civil Aviation Act 1969 and its rules and regulations, and the Innkeepers Act 1952 specifically govern the industry in Malaysia. In general, the current system governing the tourism industry in Ethiopia is not systematic and not standardized with respect to the above issues.