Radisson Hotel Group revealed plans this week to partner with ECPAT-USA, a policy organization that seeks to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children through awareness, advocacy, policy and legislation. As part of the partnership, Radisson will join ECPAT-USA’s Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct.
The code is a voluntary set of business principles travel and tour companies can implement to prevent sexual exploitation and trafficking of children. It is a joint venture between the tourism private sector and ECPAT that provides awareness, tools and support to the travel and hospitality industry.
The initiative comes as Radisson rolls out a fully remastered responsible business training program. The program will train the group’s more than 1,100 hotels on an array of topics with a special emphasis on the role hotels play in tackling modern day exploitation.
According to the International Labor Organization, more than 40 million people are living in slavery worldwide and one in four victims of modern slavery are children.
“Only by working in partnership with travel industry leaders can we reduce the channels in which traffickers operate,” Michelle Guelbart, director of private sector engagement at ECPAT-USA, said in a statement. “We believe this partnership with Radisson Hotel Group will help expand our efforts given the company’s global reach and longstanding commitment to ending child trafficking and exploitation.”
Radisson Hotel Group encompasses seven brands: Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson Red, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson.