New poll sheds light on dark side of tourism

MISSISSAUGA, Sept. 26, 2012 /CNW/ - On the eve of World Tourism Day, a new Ipsos Reid poll exposes Canadian attitudes about a tragic aspect of tourism: child labour and child sexual exploitation.

Commissioned by humanitarian agency World Vision, the poll reveals 77 per cent of vacationing Canadians are disturbed to see children working in the tourism industry. It also found that half would be willing to spend an average of 27 per cent more on their vacation if travel companies guaranteed they don't use child labour.

"Canadians take pride in our reputation as responsible travellers. We wear maple leafs on our backpacks and lapels, but it's time we started recognizing how we may be unintentionally fueling the problem of child exploitation," says Caroline Riseboro, vice-president of marketing and communications, World Vision Canada.

An estimated 115 million boys and girls are doing dirty, dangerous and degrading work around the world. While some tourism sector employment is relatively safe for children, many jobs can jeopardize education and put well-being at serious risk, especially when children are working alone or late at night.

"Brothels catering to tourists are well known, shameful examples of child exploitation in the tourism industry. But even so-called safe jobs, such as selling souvenirs on the street or doing dishes in a beach cafe, can take children out of school and bring them into risky contact with tourists who may try to exploit them," says Riseboro.

Sourced: newswire