TDC Takes The Initiative

Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) is ramping up its battle to prevent the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism and is inviting every travel counsellor in Canada to join with them in that fight. And in extending its invitation, TDC made it clear that it’s prepared to equip every retailer in Canada with the tools that they’ll need to join the battle, reports executive editor, Bob Mowat in this week’s digital edition of Canadian Travel Press.

To that end, TDC will be making the child sexual exploitation awareness guidelines that it has developed and has been using to educate and train its own counsellors at its 540 locations across the country available to all travel agents across the country – no matter which agency group they work for.

TDC’s general manager, Joe Adamo observed: “For years now, we have been raising awareness among our employees, partners and customers, so that everybody understands that the sexual exploitation of children and teens is a crime. On July 14 we are going one step further, in the hope that all travel agents in Canada will join in the effort.”

Adamo said that TDC is launching the initiative because “We want travel agents across Canada to be more knowledgeable and better equipped, so that someday sex tourism involving children and teens is a thing of the past.”

Susan Bowman, vice-president, marketing and industry relations for TDC, noted that while the commercial sexual exploitation of children is “a very sensitive issue” that “only a small number of travellers will engage in,” she emphasized that “travel advisors across the country cannot remain passive.”

For the full story, check out this week’s digital edition of Canadian Travel Press by clicking here.