WTTC Report Targets Human Trafficking
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a major new report which signals how the global travel and tourism sector can help eradicate human trafficking.
Released with support from the Carlson Family Foundation, the report builds on WTTC’s Human Trafficking Taskforce, which was launched in 2019 at its Global Summit in Seville, Spain.
‘Preventing Human Trafficking: An Action Framework for the Travel & Tourism Sector’ aims to strengthen cooperation across stakeholders and share best practices to raise awareness about how the sector can, and does, make a difference, to proactively address this global crime.
WTTC’s report details an action framework to tackle human trafficking, around four main pillars: Awareness, Education & Training, Advocacy, and Support.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has estimated that on any given day in 2016, more than 40 million people around the world were victims of human trafficking.
The pandemic has not only put a spotlight on pre-existing inequalities but exacerbated them. This has accelerated the urgent need for targeted actions within the travel and tourism sector.
The report offers solutions both within the sector and beyond, as the complexity of these transnational crimes require multi-disciplinary efforts and concerted coordinated action by stakeholders, such as states, private companies, and international organizations around the world.
Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President and Acting CEO, WTTC said: “Human trafficking is a global crime which preys on the vulnerable, continues to grow and affect the lives of millions around the world.”
Messina continued: “This vital report offers a framework for the Travel & Tourism sector to play its part to help combat human trafficking. Given the sector’s inadvertent position in the path of human traffickers, we need to shoulder our responsibility to ensure that the Travel & Tourism sector offers a safe and welcoming environment for those who work within it.”
She pointed out that: “Ultimately, travel is something that brings people together, and it is critical that we proactively help address this crime. The sector needs a cohesive approach and focus its efforts on driving forward advocacy related to human trafficking by engaging all key stakeholders. We hope that this report can aid in that task.”
Today, (July 30) World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (30 July) highlights the importance of listening to and learning from survivors of human trafficking.
To access the full report, click here.
