Unlock Futures™ Alliance Launches Practical Guide to Protect Children Across Travel, Leisure and Entertainment

One year after more than 100 business leaders came together at the WTTC Global Summit in Rome to recognise child protection as a shared responsibility and make the Shared Promise to make it a non-negotiable standard, the Unlock Futures alliance today turns that commitment into action with the launch of the Unlock Futures Protecting Children Action Paper.

Turning Commitment into Action
- One year after more than 100 business leaders made the Shared Promise at the WTTC Global Summit in Rome, the Unlock Futures alliance has launched the Unlock Futures Protecting Children Action Paper.
- The initiative aims to make child protection a non-negotiable standard across the Travel, Tourism, Leisure and Entertainment sectors.

Collaborative Initiative
- Convened by The Bicester Collection through its DO GOOD programme.
- Developed in partnership with:
- United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children
- ECPAT International
- World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)

Launch at WTTC Global Summit
- The Action Paper was officially launched during the WTTC Global Summit in Malta.
- It draws on case studies from hotels, airlines, gaming companies, venues, and tour operators already implementing child protection measures.

Three-Step Framework for Businesses
CARE
- Appoint a senior leader responsible for child protection.
- Ensure accountability and oversight across the organization.

ACT
- Identify areas where children may be vulnerable.
- Implement safeguarding policies, staff training, reporting systems, and protection procedures.

SCALE
- Extend child protection efforts beyond the organization.
- Collaborate with industry peers, expert partners, contractors, and supply chain partners.

Call for Stronger Collaboration
- The initiative emphasizes that businesses cannot tackle child exploitation alone.
- Calls for closer cooperation between:
- Governments
- Law enforcement agencies
- Private sector organizations
- Civil society groups

Industry Leaders Speak
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC
- Said the travel sector has made significant progress through training, reporting mechanisms, and partnerships.
- Stressed the need for stronger legal frameworks, enforcement, and collaboration to protect children.

Desirée Bollier, Chair and Global Chief Merchant, The Bicester Collection
- Highlighted the responsibility of businesses to embed child protection into everyday operations.
- Described the Action Paper as a tool to help leaders drive meaningful change.

Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, United Nations Special Representative on Violence Against Children
- Said the travel, leisure, and entertainment sectors have a unique opportunity to integrate child protection throughout their value chains.
- Described the Action Paper as a practical, industry-informed resource.

Guillaume Landry, Executive Director, ECPAT International
- Emphasized that children are part of the travel ecosystem as guests, family members, and community members.
- Called child protection both a responsibility and a necessity.

Chantal Khoueiry, Chief Culture Officer, The Bicester Collection
- Said child protection must be embedded into how businesses operate.
- Noted that the Action Paper provides a clear roadmap for action.

Key Takeaway
- The Unlock Futures Protecting Children Action Paper provides a practical framework for businesses to strengthen safeguarding measures. - It aims to create stronger, more consistent protections for children through collective action by industry, governments, law enforcement, and civil society.