The darker side of tourism

An estimated 1.2 million children are victims of trafficking each year. (Stephen Cairns/Getty)

An estimated 1.2 million children are victims of trafficking each year, and the travel industry – which criminals often use to move and enslave their victims – has become increasingly involved in trying to do something about it. Travellers can play their part, too, by being aware of suspicious activity and supporting companies that have taken a stand against sex tourism and child exploitation.

To date, more than 1,000 travel and hospitality companies in 42 countries have signed The Code, a set of principles to combat child trafficking and abuse that was launched in 1998 by Ecpat (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) in Sweden. Travellers can find a list of companies that have signed on the website and they can use Ecpat letters and postcards to encourage other businesses to join too.

Source: BBC

UN To Fight Against Human Trafficking Through Tourism

In a statement April 24, 2012, the UNWTO said both have “signed a memorandum of understanding to step up cooperation against this form of exploitation”.

The UN agencies believe that the tourism infrastructure is being used for the exploitation of and trafficking in persons – and children are especially vulnerable as the sector is expected to boom in 2012.

UNWTO said “A staggering one billion tourists, or one in seven of the world’s population, will travel abroad in 2012 – and the sector is expanding. While this expansion drives economic growth, job creation and development, there is evidence that…victims of trafficking are most often enslaved for sexual purposes, but they might also be found in kitchens or cleaning guesthouses, restaurants and bars.

It added “Tourism infrastructure can, in turn, create markets for forced and exploitative begging and street hawking. Even organs from victims of trafficking are used today to attract people who need a transplant”.

Source: Peace FM Online

How tourists can help Tourists may be able to help where governments have failed, as visitors often come into contact with vulnerable children on their travels. Here are a few of Kapoor’s tips to reduce risks to the young. 1. Don’t give money to child beggars Giving children money can encourage them to approach other potentially dangerous strangers. “Buying from street-vending children late at night or in red-light districts could be seen as helping the activity remain profitable,” Kapoor pointed out. He advised tourists to instead donate to a local charity, school or children’s clinic rather than giving money and sweets directly to children. 2. Volunteer with caution When signing on to “voluntourism” agencies, only pick reputable ones that strictly vet applicants, and supervise all volunteers’ access to children. “Organizations and orphanages that allow unsupervised access to children are putting them at risk,” Kapoor said. “Child sex offenders will use all such loopholes to gain access to abuse vulnerable children.” More on CNNGo: The price of volunteering in Thailand 3. Support responsible businesses Tourists can act against child sex trafficking by patronizing businesses that help street youth through training and employment. “One example is the Child Safe Network in Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, where businesses and community members have signed up to this commitment,” Kapoor said. He also recommended travelers keep an eye out for restaurants that employ former street youth and victims of abuse. (Tiffany Lam for CNNGo)

How tourists can help stop child sex trafficking