BANGKOK—The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism (The Code) announced its Top Members for 2014. Forty-three tourism companies from around the world are recognized as Top Members for their exceptional work to integrate child protection practices into their business and help protect children from sex tourism.
The Top Members of The Code have successfully completed all six criteria of The Code within their own business operations, reported their efforts, and chosen to make their child protection work public on The Code’s website. “The 2014 Top Members are true leaders of child protection in tourism, having taken concrete actions to help keep children safe and raised the profile of the crime of child sex tourism within the tourism industry and among the wider travelling public,” said Andreas Astrup, General Manager of The Code.
The 2014 Top Members include: Abang Africa Travel and Trust (South Africa); Accor Hotels (France); Adventure Travel Trade Association (USA); Altruvistas (USA); ANVR (Netherlands); Ashonorte (Dominican Republic); Caribe Royale Orlando (USA); Carlson (USA); Concessionaire Volaris Fly Aviation Company (Mexico); Dominican Fiesta Hotel & Casino (Dominican Republic); Envision Meetings & Incentives (USA); FCm Travel Solutions (Germany); Footprint Travel (Netherlands); Forum Anders Reisen (Germany); Globetrotter Travel Service (Switzerland); Grand Palladium Imbassai Resort & Spa (Brazil); Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort and Spa/The Royal Suites Punta de Mita by Palladium (Mexico); Hilton Worldwide (USA); and Hospitality Evolution Resources (USA).
Real Hospitality Group Included
Additional 2014 Top Members include: Hotel Alfiz (Colombia); Hotel de la Opera (Colombia); International Tour Management Institute (USA); Kuoni Travel (Switzerland); Lotus Travel (Sweden); Meaningful Trip (USA); Melia Hotels International (Spain); Myanmar Polestar Travels & Tours (Myanmar); Nix Conference & Meeting Management (USA); Panama Trails (Panama); People and Places (UK); Platinum Travel & Events (USA); Real Hospitality Group (USA); Resia Travel Group (Sweden); RIUSA II (Spain); Sabre (USA); Sawadee (Netherlands); SKR Reisen (Germany); SNP Natuurreizen (part of ANWB Reizen, Netherlands); Solresor (Sweden); Travel Counsellors Nederland (Netherlands); Travel Excellence (Costa Rica); and TUI Travel (UK).
“It is heartening to see companies from such diverse tourism sectors and countries really walking the talk,” Astrup said. “Taking action within their own companies ensures they will have the greatest impact for children.”
The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism is an industry-driven responsible tourism initiative that provides awareness, tools and support to tourism companies to help prevent the sexual exploitation of children. Members of The Code take six steps that turn child protection principles into concrete operational procedures that help keep children safe.
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