Protect Children, Transform Tourism
Tourism connects people, cultures, and communities—and it has the power to change lives for the better. On UN World Tourism Day 2026, under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism” we look into risks of both technology-facilitated and in-person sexual exploitation of children and how to advance collaborative action across the travel and tourism sector.
Sustainable transformation can only happen when children are protected, their rights respected, and their futures secured. Today, too many are left behind: 1 billion children suffer from violence every year, 35% of trafficking victims are children, and violence against children costs the global economy $395 billion annually.
For businesses, protecting children is more than the right thing to do. It strengthens business models, builds customer trust, and drives long-term growth. Across the travel and tourism sector, leaders are already proving that child protection is both possible and powerful.
Now is the time to join them.
Businesses: Lead the Transformation
Organisations across the travel, tourism and transportation sectors are demonstrating that prioritising child protection benefits both society and business.
Join a Global Movement
We are mobilising the travel, leisure, and entertainment sectors to take action through the Unlock Futures programme, an alliance between The Bicester Collection, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, ECPAT International and the World Travel & Tourism Council.
Our goal? To help business leaders take tangible steps to prevent violence against children.
Become a Member of The Code
The Code is the leading global initiative helping the travel and tourism industry protect children from sexual exploitation. It equips companies with the awareness, tools, and support they need to assess risks, train staff, engage travellers, and take meaningful action.
With 400 members worldwide, The Code shows that embedding child protection across operations, products, and services strengthens business models, builds customer trust, and drives sustainable growth.
Insights from Industry Leaders
Through our Global Member Webinars, travel and tourism industry leaders shared how child protection is reshaping responsible tourism and why it’s becoming a cornerstone of sustainable business. Hear their perspectives on building resilience, trust, and long-term value by putting children first.
Inspiring Practices from The Code Members
From risk and impact analysis and staff training programmes to promoting responsible travel, The Code’s Top Members demonstrate how child protection can be embedded into every corner of the tourism industry. These stories show what works, and why your company should be part of this growing movement.
Governments: Create the Enabling Environment
Sustainable transformation in tourism demands clear standards and regulations to prevent and respond to child sexual exploitation. Businesses can go further when due diligence laws, incentives, and policies create a level playing field for tourism, travel, transport and booking platforms.
What Governments Can Do
- Integrate child protection into tourism laws, regulations and sustainability frameworks—including regulation of voluntourism with children and integration into tourism schools and universities curricula.
- Incentivise businesses to implement child protection measures as part of sustainability standards and practices, due diligence laws, or national action plans on business and human rights.
- Champion child protection in global tourism forums such as UN Tourism, and advocate for the ratification of the UN Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics that clearly states that sexual exploitation of children must be strongly fought under international law, with all countries working together, to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice, and children are protected.
Youth from Asia and Latin America are raising their voices to build sustainable tourism destinations with child protection at its core.
(Spanish video here)
