The 8th of June saw members of the travel and tourism industry coming together to prevent the sexual exploitation of children. At a high profile event at the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (“The Code”) was officially launched for the first time in South Africa by the local Code representative, Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA). After Kenya, South Africa is now the second African country to be a signatory to The Code.
Although South Africa is not generally considered to be a child sex tourism destination, several factors have raised concerns that the risk of South African children being exposed to child trafficking, prostitution, sex tourism and other forms of exploitation is ever-increasing. The tourism industry continuously strives to bring more visitors to our country, as increased tourism revenues will ultimately mean greater financial security for South Africans and more opportunities for our children. However, Thandiwe January-McLean, the CEO of South African Tourism, points out that “this also ironically poses a great danger to our children.” Add to this the influx of foreigners due to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, and it is easy to see why the signing of the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct was essential to ensuring that South Africa remains a responsible tourism destination.
The Code, an international initiative, was endorsed by a number of industry bodies at the Johannesburg event, including the National Department of Tourism, South African Tourism, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA), Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA), Association of South African Travel Agents (ASATA) and the Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA).
The private sector was represented at the Johannesburg event by 14 organisations, of which 5 are SAVRALA members: First Car Rental, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Avis. Together with the 16 signatories at the Cape Town event, this makes a total of 30 signatories in South Africa.
The Code binds its signatories to the following six measures to protect children and create awareness around child trafficking:
-
Establish an ethical corporate policy regarding sexual exploitation of children.
-
Train personnel in the country of origin and in destinations.
-
Introduce clauses in contracts with suppliers, stating a common repudiation of sexual exploitation of children.
-
Provide information to travellers (eg: by means of brochures, posters, in-flight videos, ticket slips, home pages, etc).
-
Provide information to local “key persons” at tourism destinations.
-
Report annually.
“Effective child protection is only possible where all sectors of society are mobilised. The contribution of the travel and tourism industry is critical. When it comes to the sexual exploitation of children, there can be no innocent bystanders. Together, we must demonstrate zero tolerance to exploiters and make South Africa a tourist destination that is safe for children,’ says UNICEF South Africa Representative Ms Aida Girma.
General Manager of SAVRALA comments “By being signatories to The Code, SAVRALA and its members are proud to be role models in the fight against the exploitation of South Africa’s children.”