Child protection on the bill for WTM Responsible tourism

Responsible Tourism Eve child protection, local development, inclusiveness and voluntourism just a few of the events on offer the day before RT day:

Child protection is a critical issue in the travel and tourism industry where many countries have lax standards.

The industry can often contribute to child trafficking, sex tourism, awful employment standards amongst much more. "What must the industry do take responsibility for children and young people – whether in the destination or amongst the holidaymakers?

A panel including Harold Goodwin of ICRT Marina Diotallevi, (UNWTO)Claire Ellaway, WCE Group Operations, Stephen Farrant, International Tourism Partnership Michael Horton, ConCERT Cambodia and Julie Naylor of Thomas Cook aim to deliver some answers.

Tourism and Child Protection – 12.30 – 13.30, South Gallery Rooms 21 & 22

Tourism claims to be the world’s largest industry and employs 1 in 12 of the global population.  How can tourism increase its contribution to the local communities in destinations through employment, local sourcing of goods and services and by encouraging tourists to buy local.

A high-profile team will hopefully plan a route to economic benefits for impoverished locals.

Taking part will be H.E. Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary General, Chris Gale, of  City & Guilds Centre, Lamin Drammeh, of Guaranteed Gambian Producers Group, Manisha Pande, Village Ways and Garry Wilson of TUI

Maximising Local Economic Development: 14.00 – 15.30, South Gallery Rooms 21 & 22

Is an annual holiday something which EVERYONE should expect? In a refreshingly different take on ‘inclusive’ this panel looks at the philosophy behind mass tourism.

Paul Maynard,  MP All Party Group on Social Tourism, Charles-E.Bélanger of Organisation Internationale du Tourisme Social, Luc Gobin, of Flanders Tourism, Fiona Harris of Kuoni and Thea Joldersma, and Ian Reynolds, Family Holiday Association take part.

Is Tourism Inclusive Enough?14.00 – 15.00, South Gallery Room 19

More and more demand for volunteer experiences is being met by more and more developed world based volunteer service organisations. There is increasing concern about the activities and profits of some volunteering companies and exactly who benefits from this activity.
 
Mark Tanzer, of ABTA, Sallie Grayson, of, PeopleandPlaces, Richard Oliver, of Year Out Group  and Paul Miedema, of ,Calabash Tours debate

Responsible Volunteering 16.30 – 17.30, South Gallery Rooms 21 & 22

Valere Tjolle
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