ECPAT-USA and Altruvistas launch joint partnership to take tourists to Mexico to experience first-hand how the travel and tourism industry are combating human trafficking and the exploitation of children.

Brooklyn, NY -- (SBWire) -- 03/03/2015 --ECPAT-USA and Altruvistas are proud to launch a new travel initiative, this time focused on Mexico. In May 2015, ECPAT-USA (Ending Child Slavery at the Source) will be leading a groundbreaking journey to Mexico entitled, Behind the CODE: An ECPAT Advocacy Journey, in which a group of tourists have the opportunity to learn about the issue of trafficking and sexual exploitation and how to combat it. The Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (The Code) is a responsible business initiative with a mission to provide awareness, tools and training to the travel industry, focused on the issue of trafficking. Members of The Code include Delta, Hilton Worldwide, Carlson Companies, Wyndham, and Orbitz.

Altuvistas has been a leader and on the forefront of socially responsible tourism, and this will be the first in a series of journeys in which travelers can gain an educative perspective on this issue of sex trafficking and exploitation. For those in search of a deeper purpose in their travel experience, this trip may be what they are looking for. Participants will meet with local anti-trafficking leaders and advocates to develop a better understanding of the scope of the issue, along with the socio-economic factors that contribute to sex trafficking and exploitation in Mexico. The journey will also highlight the progress being made on the ground along with the work of the travel and tourism industry, and each tour will include several cultural excursions.

"What's really amazing about this trip is that people get to see the positive impact of the travel industry's commitment to ending trafficking and protecting children. It's not something that's intuitive – to think about, for example, how training hotel employees to recognize when someone might be a victim is a way companies can help end this human rights abuse." said Sarah Porter, Development Officer for ECPAT-USA.

Altruvistas was the first tour operator to sign The Code, an internationally recognized set of guidelines travel and tourism companies can sign to demonstrate their commitment to fighting the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Their staff are experienced travel professionals with a shared commitment to sustainability and a passion to ensure the benefits of responsible tourism globally.

http://altruvistas.com/

About ECPAT
ECPAT International is a network comprised of over 80 organizations, represented in 74 countries. ECPAT-USA is recognized as one of the primary organizations focused on ending this form of child exploitation and abuse. ECPAT-USA is the American affiliate of the international ECPAT network, working to eliminate the commercial sexual exploitation of children. The mission of ECPAT-USA is to ensure that children everywhere are not bought, sold, or used for sex. ECPAT-USA undertakes policy and legislative advocacy, private sector engagement, research, training, and raising awareness about the issue of children being commercially sexually exploited here in the US.

http://www.ecpatusa.org/

For more information about this advocacy journey: http://altruvistas.com/upcoming-journeys/#MexicoMay22-26
Questions, contact sporter@ecpatusa.org