WTTC launches global taskforce on human trafficking, next summit in Puerto Rico
TravelBizNews —
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has formed a global taskforce to help prevent and combat human trafficking – an illicit activity that affects 30 million victims worldwide, and relies on travel networks to operate.
The taskforce comprises WTTC members and sector associations to become the first global industry-wide initiative to assert zero tolerance and share best practice.
As an ‘industry’, human trafficking is worth $150 billion annually, and contributes heavily to modern slavery, in which 40 million people worldwide are entrapped. One-quarter of trafficking victims worldwide are children (or 5.5 million).
Meanwhile, 19 percent of victims are trafficked for sexual purposes, which makes up 66 percent of the illicit income generated.
Human trafficking is present virtually everywhere; yet not all criminalise it in all its forms.
The WTTC taskforce has been established to increase industry and consumer awareness of human trafficking, to train employees and travellers on how to identify and report suspected cases , to encourage governments to enact legislation which recognizes human trafficking as a crime throughout the entire chain and develop resources and support needed such as national hotlines and provide assistance, and employment opportunities to survivors.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC commented, “Human trafficking is a devastating, widespread and critical issue that unfortunately relies on Travel & Tourism networks to operate. As a sector, we must do everything in our power to help eradicate the problem so that people may move freely and safely across the globe, but never coerced. “
Winners of 2019 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
Meanwhile , WTTC announced the 2019 leaders in sustainable tourism at the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards ceremony. The Awards, now in their 15th year, took place at a special ceremony during the WTTC Global Summit in Seville, Spain, to celebrate inspirational, world-changing tourism initiatives from around the globe.
The 2019 WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Award Winners are commended and recognised for business practices of the highest standards that balance the needs of ‘people, planet and profits’ within the travel and tourism sector.
The Winners of the 2019 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are:
Climate Action Award – Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba
Investing in People Award – Lemon Tree Hotels Limited, India
Destination Stewardship Award – St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council, St. Kitts and Nevis
Social Impact Award – Awamaki, Peru
Changemakers Award – SEE Turtles, USA
Puerto Rico will host the next Global Summit on April 21 – 23, 2020. The location was announced by Gloria Guevara Manzo, president and CEO of WTTC, and Puerto Rico’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló Nevares, at the closing ceremony of the 2019 Global Summit in Seville, Spain.
Source : WTTC / April 5 , 2019
