Laurence Gray, Regional Advocacy Director
World Vision International
An opinion piece by Laurence Gray, Regional Director Advocacy, World Vision Asia-Pacific
Holiday makers will flock to exotic destinations of South East Asia over the Christmas break for warmth, beaches and adventure. The presence of slavery is probably the last thing on their mind.
But human trafficking is exactly that - and this illegal and inhumane industry has many links to the tourist trade.
Around the world, an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year - around 50% of them children. Even more are trafficked within their own country. Some of them are sent by their families in search of better opportunities; a small percentage are sold by them. Often children make themselves vulnerable to trafficking by running away from broken or violent and abusive home environments.
Where do they end up? South-East Asia's Mekong region has a reputation as a hotspot for the trafficking of young people, most notoriously into the underage sex scene. Children are forced or tricked into underground brothels, begging on streets, working on fishing boats and construction sites, and in farms and factories.
The many services which cater to tourism draw young people from near and far. Tourism is increasingly a vital economic driver and a valued source of employment in emerging economies. It brings prosperity, dynamism and enhances cultural richness. Investment in infrastructure and local business bring more visitors prepared to spend. High fliers, package tours, back packers and increasingly regional tourists all contribute to local economies.
While all this sounds good on paper, managing the impact of this growth on traditional lifestyles and values is a major challenge facing governments. Thailand has over 11 million visitors annually. Tourism is Cambodia's second largest source of employment, tipped shortly to become its number one industry. Ambitious for the recognition and profit the tourist industry brings, these countries risk racking up high costs for local communities.
"Sex, sun and heritage"
Following a request from Greater Mekong Sub-region governments, World Vision and the UNIAP commissioned study into tourist-based exploitation in the region. The resulting report, "Sex, Sun and Heritage: Tourism Threats and Opportunities in South East Asia," will be presented as part of the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking meeting in Beijing on Dec 12-14.
The report reveals an ugly side to the economic promise tourism brings. Families and individuals are drawn in to economic hubs as demand for construction and entertainment services grow. These are most noticeable at international centers close to air links and border points as a result of increased regional tourism. It is here where the demand has fueled the growth of services where exploitation can and does occur.
A story like Sokha's shows clearly the relationship between tourism, exploitation, trafficking and poverty. Sokha was sold to a tourist at the age of 12 to assist her family in Cambodia with medical treatment. There was no going back; Sokha stayed in prostitution until she became sick and clients refused to take her. She had contracted HIV and AIDS, and died at the age of 16 weighing less than 20 kilograms. Sokha received no support from her family, community or government.
Living in a World Vision shelter in the last months of her life, Sokha expressed her anger at the injustice which had allowed her and others like her to be used in this way.
The report gives a snapshot of two member countries working with civil society on efforts to counter sexual exploitation and trafficking of children linked to tourism. Good practices are highlighted, difficulties and observations noted which are valuable to the countries of the Mekong sub region and beyond. Social responsibility from businesses such as international hotel chain Accor is recognized as a strong contributor. Awareness campaigns in regional languages have increased profile of the issues, though greater targeting of messages is needed to reach an increasing number of Asian tourists.
Successful partnerships with government on industry evaluation and protection of vulnerable groups exist, but need scaling up. As well, governments need a sustained engagement on questions of migration, trafficking and smuggling in this diverse and rapidly changing region.
The key to reducing trafficking in Asia and the Pacific is in the hands of national governments. Many are hesitant to change laws or enforce them, especially in cultures where child labour is common or sexual exploitation is lucrative. It is hoped that this week's Beijing forum will further increase political will in the countries of the GMS to understand and act on child trafficking and sexual exploitation. Tourist businesses, companies and services have the opportunity to join them in this goal.
To this end, the report contributes valuable evidence of need for a united, sincere response involving governments, corporates and communities: action plans, policies and cross-border collaborations.
Tourism is maybe the only industry in the world which, by its very nature, brings the wealthy and the poor into contact with each other. At one extreme of this interaction is exploitation including child sex tourism. At the other is understanding, interest and a desire to protect and preserve local heritage. Long after the photos have faded, the impact of that tourism decision will be felt.
Let's make our choices count!
Laurence Gray moved to Cambodia in 1995 to work with children in crisis, including trafficked children and children on the street. Laurence now advises on advocacy and child protection responses in eighteen countries regionally.
For interview or further comment:
Laurence Gray, Regional Advocacy Director, World Vision Asia-Pacific, laurence_gray@wvi.org
Abid Gulzar, Project Manager, Regional Advocacy Anti Child Trafficking Project (GMS), abid_gulzar@wvi.org
Download the executive summary:
http://www.wvasiapacific.org/images/Publications/execsummEnglr.pdf
Download the report:
http://www.wvasiapacific.org/images/Publications/sunsexheritage.pdf
Holiday makers will flock to exotic destinations of South East Asia over the Christmas break for warmth, beaches and adventure. The presence of slavery is probably the last thing on their mind.
But human trafficking is exactly that - and this illegal and inhumane industry has many links to the tourist trade.
Around the world, an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year - around 50% of them children. Even more are trafficked within their own country. Some of them are sent by their families in search of better opportunities; a small percentage are sold by them. Often children make themselves vulnerable to trafficking by running away from broken or violent and abusive home environments.
Where do they end up? South-East Asia's Mekong region has a reputation as a hotspot for the trafficking of young people, most notoriously into the underage sex scene. Children are forced or tricked into underground brothels, begging on streets, working on fishing boats and construction sites, and in farms and factories.
The many services which cater to tourism draw young people from near and far. Tourism is increasingly a vital economic driver and a valued source of employment in emerging economies. It brings prosperity, dynamism and enhances cultural richness. Investment in infrastructure and local business bring more visitors prepared to spend. High fliers, package tours, back packers and increasingly regional tourists all contribute to local economies.
While all this sounds good on paper, managing the impact of this growth on traditional lifestyles and values is a major challenge facing governments. Thailand has over 11 million visitors annually. Tourism is Cambodia's second largest source of employment, tipped shortly to become its number one industry. Ambitious for the recognition and profit the tourist industry brings, these countries risk racking up high costs for local communities.
"Sex, sun and heritage"
Following a request from Greater Mekong Sub-region governments, World Vision and the UNIAP commissioned study into tourist-based exploitation in the region. The resulting report, "Sex, Sun and Heritage: Tourism Threats and Opportunities in South East Asia," will be presented as part of the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking meeting in Beijing on Dec 12-14.
The report reveals an ugly side to the economic promise tourism brings. Families and individuals are drawn in to economic hubs as demand for construction and entertainment services grow. These are most noticeable at international centers close to air links and border points as a result of increased regional tourism. It is here where the demand has fueled the growth of services where exploitation can and does occur.
A story like Sokha's shows clearly the relationship between tourism, exploitation, trafficking and poverty. Sokha was sold to a tourist at the age of 12 to assist her family in Cambodia with medical treatment. There was no going back; Sokha stayed in prostitution until she became sick and clients refused to take her. She had contracted HIV and AIDS, and died at the age of 16 weighing less than 20 kilograms. Sokha received no support from her family, community or government.
Living in a World Vision shelter in the last months of her life, Sokha expressed her anger at the injustice which had allowed her and others like her to be used in this way.
The report gives a snapshot of two member countries working with civil society on efforts to counter sexual exploitation and trafficking of children linked to tourism. Good practices are highlighted, difficulties and observations noted which are valuable to the countries of the Mekong sub region and beyond. Social responsibility from businesses such as international hotel chain Accor is recognized as a strong contributor. Awareness campaigns in regional languages have increased profile of the issues, though greater targeting of messages is needed to reach an increasing number of Asian tourists.
Successful partnerships with government on industry evaluation and protection of vulnerable groups exist, but need scaling up. As well, governments need a sustained engagement on questions of migration, trafficking and smuggling in this diverse and rapidly changing region.
The key to reducing trafficking in Asia and the Pacific is in the hands of national governments. Many are hesitant to change laws or enforce them, especially in cultures where child labour is common or sexual exploitation is lucrative. It is hoped that this week's Beijing forum will further increase political will in the countries of the GMS to understand and act on child trafficking and sexual exploitation. Tourist businesses, companies and services have the opportunity to join them in this goal.
To this end, the report contributes valuable evidence of need for a united, sincere response involving governments, corporates and communities: action plans, policies and cross-border collaborations.
Tourism is maybe the only industry in the world which, by its very nature, brings the wealthy and the poor into contact with each other. At one extreme of this interaction is exploitation including child sex tourism. At the other is understanding, interest and a desire to protect and preserve local heritage. Long after the photos have faded, the impact of that tourism decision will be felt.
Let's make our choices count!
Laurence Gray moved to Cambodia in 1995 to work with children in crisis, including trafficked children and children on the street. Laurence now advises on advocacy and child protection responses in eighteen countries regionally.
For interview or further comment:
Laurence Gray, Regional Advocacy Director, World Vision Asia-Pacific, laurence_gray@wvi.org
Abid Gulzar, Project Manager, Regional Advocacy Anti Child Trafficking Project (GMS), abid_gulzar@wvi.org
Download the executive summary:
http://www.wvasiapacific.org/images/Publications/execsummEnglr.pdf
Download the report:
http://www.wvasiapacific.org/images/Publications/sunsexheritage.pdf
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