Time for Action, TTG WTM Dailies

Child Protection has been on the WTM agenda since 2011. Holly Tuppen speaks with the panellists that will later demonstrate what progress has been made since then, and what still needs to be done.

“It’s time to stop turning a blind eye and act”, says Harold Goodwin, academic and WTM’s Responsible Tourism Advisor, who will make a concerted plea to the travel industry while leading today’s panel on Child Protection. Since 2011, when child protection was first brought to the attention of WTM, progress has been patchy. While it’s true that the child protection conversation has moved beyond sexual exploitation to include child labour, orphanages, begging, and trafficking, and it’s true that campaigns have gained more weight and exposure, only a small proportion of the travel industry has actioned real change. Today’s session will provide evidence and inspiration to motivate more businesses to step up. 

The Problem 

The range of child protection issues that face the travel and tourism industry is so far-reaching that few businesses can claim it’s not their problem. A leading part of the debate to date has been the unintended funding of institutions that worsen rather than better the lives of children.

Read the piece here.