Tourism is seen as one of the channels for the commercial sexual exploitation of children. It knows no geographical, cultural or social boundaries and is often a highly organised phenomenon, which is extremely profitable and carries only low risks of prosecution. Information and moulding of public opinion are two of the most important tools in the combat against the sexual exploitation of children in tourism.
There are ethical guidelines for advertising in many of the Member States. Several travel agents associations and associations of employers and employees of the tourist industry have passed resolutions and declarations against organised sex tourism. (See below for a summary)
The Expert Group has found that it could be of great value to designate a special police officer at the local police districts to handle the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children. In that way tour guides will know whom to turn to in case they suspect commercial sexual exploitation of children.
These are some of the resolutions and declarations passed by the tourist industry on the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children:
The WTO (World Tourism Organisation) issued in Cairo in 1995 a Declaration about Preventing Organised Sex Tourism. The WTO has established a Task Force on Child Prostitution and Tourism Watch. Members of the Task Force include several international tourism organisations and representatives of ECPAT. A common logo has been launched and will be widely used by tourism organisations around the world.
The Assembly of ECTAA (National Travel Agents and Tour Operators Associations within the European Union) approved in November 1996 an ECTAA Declaration against Child Sex Tourism.
The IHA (International Hotel
Association) adopted in October 1996 a Resolution against Sexual Exploitation of Children.
The IATA (International Air Transport Association) passed in November 1996 a Resolution
"Condemning Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children". The organisation
endorsed practical measures for educating staff, inform passengers, co-operate with other
agencies and establish guidelines covering advertising and doing business with tour
operators and hotels.
In June 1997 the IFTO (International
Federation of Tour Operators) gave full support to the WTO campaign to end sex tourism.
The organisation have adopted the logo of the campaign against child sex tourism and will
give it full prominence.
UFTAA (The Universal Federation of Travel Agents Associations) has joined the WTO Task
Force. All tourism operators linked to UFTAA are being urged to sign a "Children's
Charter" and to find ways to follow up the recommendations from the World Congress in
Stockholm.
In November 1996 the European Commission released a Communication on Combating Child Sex Tourism. The Commission put forward proposals for deterring and punishing child sex abusers; stemming the flow of sex tourists from Member States; helping to combat sex tourism in third countries and encouraging the EU Member States to take a united stand against child sex tourism.
The European Parliament has in November 1997 adopted a resolution regarding the Communication from the Commission and regarding a memorandum about the European Union's contribution to the strengthening of the combat against sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
The Nordic Council of Ministers has in 1997 requested the tourist organisations in the Nordic countries to enforce their measures against child sex tourism in co-operation with governments and NGOs.