The World Travel & Tourism Council has just formed a global taskforce to stop human trafficking, which affects a massive 30 million victims worldwide, and relies on travel networks to operate.
It’s a shocking reality that 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 while 19% of victims used for sexual purposes.
Image credit: Campbell Law Observer
The WTTC taskforce is built on four key goals:
1. PREVENTION: to increase industry and consumer awareness of human trafficking. It is proven the more we know the more can be prevented.
2. PROTECTION: to train employees and travellers on how to identify and report suspected cases.
3. ACTION: to encourage governments to enact legislation which recognises human trafficking as a crime throughout the entire chain and develop resources and support needed such as national hotlines.
4. SUPPORT: to provide assistance, employability training and employment opportunities to survivors.
The founding members of the taskforce are Airbnb, Amex GBT, The Bicester Village Shopping Collection, Ctrip.com International, CWT, Emirates, Expedia Group, Hilton, JTB Corp, Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority, Marriott International, Silversea, Thomas Cook and TUI.
On the formation of the taskforce Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC said she “was proud to launch this vital taskforce comprised of the world’s most powerful travel leaders”.
- READ: AWESOME: Airline hero saves girls from human trafficking
- READ: Intrepid Travel staff walked 42KM & raised $80,000 to fight human trafficking