WTTC and It’s a Penalty partner to raise awareness of human trafficking and exploitation

The World Travel and Tourism Council has partnered with It’s a Penalty to raise awareness on human trafficking and to advance the fight to put an end to this global crime.

Since 2014, It’s a Penalty has been working to disrupt the fastest growing and second largest criminal industry in the world: human trafficking and exploitation.

It’s a Penalty believe that collaboration and partnership are essential in order to achieve their aims and to date have collaborated with strategic stakeholders, such as high profile sporting athletes, the tourism industry - including airlines, hotels, and transportation companies - sporting governing bodies/hosting committees, NGOs, governments, and corporates.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and It’s a Penalty (IAP) signed a ‘memorandum of understanding’ (MoU), highlighting the opportunity of the international tourism community to proactively address human trafficking and develop best practices to eradicate it.

The strategic partnership will see collaboration not just between WTTC and IAP, but also with WTTC’s Members and IAP partner NGOs who work with victims and survivors.

WTTC and IAP will work closely together on major research projects which leverage their respective areas of expertise, to produce and promote best practice and protocols.

WTTC and IAP will support each other to drive forward this important agenda by contributing to each other’s insight pieces, as well as sharing instructive videos and resources.

WTTC Senior Vice President, Virginia Messina notes “we are excited to enter this partnership with It’s a Penalty to broaden the scope of both our organisations’ knowledge and influence on the incredibly important subject of human trafficking.

“We believe that together we will be able to share our collective expertise and continue to shed light and awareness on the horrors of human trafficking. Travel and Tourism can play a proactive, and meaningful role in addressing this global crime. 

“Together, we can build on our collective resources and share knowledge so we can work to eradicate this inhumane practice.”

It’s a Penalty Chief Executive, Sarah de Carvalho added “It’s a Penalty is delighted to be partnering with WTTC to combat abuse, exploitation and human trafficking.   

“IAP commends WTTC’s global taskforce to help prevent and combat human trafficking. We believe that the platform, partnership and strategic collaboration with WTTC and the travel and tourism industry are essential in order to achieve incredible impact.”

WTTC has continually been at the forefront in leading the private sector in the efforts to restore international travel and rebuild global consumer confidence following the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world’s leading tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries.

WTTC is committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the international tourism industry.

IAP aims to end abuse, exploitation, and trafficking. It leads awareness-raising campaigns to harness the power of sport to prevent trafficking and exploitation on a global scale.

Its research and advocacy work ensures that children worldwide are legally protected from sexual exploitation and abuse, through collaboration and partnership with strategic stakeholders, such as high-profile sporting athletes, and the international tourism industry.

For more information on It’s a Penalty go to itsapenalty.org/

For more information on WTTC go to wttc.org/