The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has called on governments to strengthen laws, enforcement and cross-border cooperation to protect children, it said on October 12.
The call came at the WTTC Global Summit in Malta, where the council was joined by The Bicester Collection, ECPAT International and the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children. Travel businesses can train staff and build reporting channels, but a hotel or tour operator can only act on what it sees. Prosecutions, sentencing and cross-border data sharing sit with states, and that is where the organisations say the gaps remain.
“Governments have a critical role to play in strengthening legal frameworks, improving enforcement and ensuring those who exploit children face meaningful consequences,” WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara said.
Research covering more than 50 organisations in 25 countries, with a combined annual reach of almost one billion people, found that seven in 10 now identify child protection as a priority. Many work with industry peers, specialist organisations, law enforcement agencies and community partners to share practice.
The summit also launched the Unlock Futures Action Paper, an industry-informed guide to embedding child protection across travel, leisure and entertainment value chains. Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN special representative, said it gives the sector “a concrete, industry-informed tool” to act faster.
ECPAT International Executive Director Guillaume Landry said children are part of the business of travel “as guests, family members of employees, members of local communities and participants in the experiences and services we provide”. He said action also builds trust with employees, guests, communities and suppliers.
The launch follows the 2025 WTTC Global Summit in Rome, where more than 100 senior leaders backed the Shared Promise, which treats child protection as inseparable from building a sustainable business.