The only UK charity to monitor the impact of tourism on local people across the globe is under threat because its funding has dried up. Tourism Concern, which has been fighting exploitation in the travel industry for 20 years, needs an emergency injection of £40,000 to survive.

Director Tricia Barnett says grants from government agencies and trusts used to meet its running costs, but these have now disappeared.

So what would Tourism Concern's closure mean for the industry? "The charity is unique in what it does, and without £40,000 we will have to close the door to people all over the world who come to us for help and support," says Barnett. "For example, we're currently working with local people in India and Sri Lanka to campaign against major post-tsunami tourism developments that are driving people, especially fishermen, from their homes and lands. Without us, these people won't have a voice."

Next month, Tourism Concern will release its human rights report, Putting Tourism to Rights, highlighting cases of villagers deprived of water by new hotels and golf courses, exploited children, and lack of working rights for hotel staff.

"The industry needs a strong, independent lobby group such as Tourism Concern to drive forward these issues," says Richard Hammond, founder of Greentraveller.co.uk. "If it were to close, I'm not sure who would take over these campaigns."

Ed Gillespie, co-founder of the Futerra agency which advises companies on their eco-policies, says: "Tourism Concern needs a more public voice, so the general public recognises what it does. It could introduce public membership to help funding. Let's get people saying 'I'm a responsible traveller, I'm a member of Tourism Concern'.'"

See tourismconcern.org.uk for more information about the charity's campaigns.