UNWTO and World Vision (WV) have entered a partnership to combat child exploitation in tourism. The Memorandum of Understanding, signed by UNWTO and WV East Asia Regional Office, underscores their commitment to protect children from exploitation, trafficking and abuse, particularly in Southeast Asia. The two organizations will collaborate on the promotion of tools, good practices and case studies, including WV’s Child Safe Tourism Campaign, which has been endorsed by the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam and informs travelers of actions they can take to protect children in tourism destinations.
“The growth of the tourism sector brings important development opportunities, but also immense challenges, affecting namely the most vulnerable groups of society,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “Children and youth are particularly at risk, and it is imperative that the tourism sector stakeholders work together to tackle the pressing issue of child exploitation.”
