ReleaseWire Connect

Elevate Destinations will join ECPAT-USA in efforts to end child slavery and trafficking by signing the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (The Code). Elevate Destinations is the sixth tour company in the United States to sign The Code. The Code is a set of guidelines, which travel and tourism companies agree to implement to prevent instances of child sex trafficking. As a signatory of The Code, Elevate Destinations will encourage travelers and suppliers to increase their efforts to protect children from trafficking.

Vantage Hospitality Group, Inc., a Top 10 hotel company with over 1,000 independently owned and operated hotels around the globe, joined ECPAT-USA in the fight against child sex slavery at the source by signing the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (The Code).

ECPAT-USA and Altruvistas are proud to launch a new travel partnership. This January, ECPAT-USA (Ending Child Slavery at the Source) will be leading a groundbreaking journey to Thailand, called Behind the CODE: An ECPAT Advocacy Journey to Thailand, where a group of tourists have the opportunity to learn about the issue of trafficking and sexual exploitation.

A new global Taskforce, launched in London yesterday aims to tackle the rapid acceleration of sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism. Eight eminent leaders from the travel industry, the United Nations, Governments and NGOs, under the leadership of Dr. Maalla M’jid Former Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, will re-think approaches to a crime that has, to date, outpaced every attempt to respond. The sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism is now a phenomenon of global dimensions, and as Dr. Maalla M’jid states, a phenomenon that “seriously harms countless children around the world, often with irreparable consequences.”

EmpireCLS Worldwide Chauffeured Services (EmpireCLS) has partnered with ECPAT-USA as the first global ground transportation company to join the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (the Code), an industry-driven initiative to provide awareness, tools and support to its partners to prevent the sexual exploitation of children.

The Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (The Code) announced their 2014 Top Members list. These 43 companies from around the world are recognized for their “exceptional work to integrate child protection practices into their businesses.” 13 of the companies are based in the United States and are guided through their membership and implementation with the support of Local Code Representative, ECPAT-USA.