Preventing child trafficking in the hospitality tourism industry

Writes Hera, Content writer, Headline Diplomat eMagazine, LUDCI.eu
The tourism industry is worth over  8 trillion dollars,  contributing 10% to global economic activities last year.[1] The industry is diverse in its operation constituting several sectors, such as accommodation, recreation and entertainment, food and beverage services, transportation, and travel services to name a few. Tourism professionals develop industrial ties with corporate businesses, individuals organising group stays for convenience and improved profits.

Despite its vast operations, the tourism industry lacks an official modus operandi combating trafficking, frequently coming in contact with traffickers seeking to transport victims especially during major events of sports, conventions, and popular vacation destinations. In fact, hotels may unknowingly or in some cases knowingly do business with crime syndicates who make bulk room bookings in advance or even hire human-labor trafficked individuals to work for their organisation.

In parallel, Tourism destinations are growing increasingly commercialized, with new models of business for lodging and transport such as airBnB and Uber being underuse. Traffic...