MEKONG TOURISM FORUM 2017 – LUANG PRABANG (Workshop on Child Protection in Travel and Tourism)
Venue: Chanthavinh Resort, Luang Prabang
Date and time: 7-8 June from 16.00 to 17.30 pm.
Facilitators: Rangsima Deesawade, ECPAT International & Jessica Tradati, The Code
Speakers: UNICEF; Myanmar Responsible Tourism Institute; ECPAT International; The Code
Background: The Mekong sub-region has emerged as one of the fastest growing sub-
regions in tourism worldwide. The advanced communication technologies, the growth of
low cost airline market as well as share economies such as airbnb, the diversified forms of
tourism from traditional group tour to alternative tourism such as ecotourism, community
based tourism, voluntourism, and long stay tourism, the rising middle class and easing of
the visa process between countries have facilitated the influx of tourists to the region.
These provide economic development and increasing opportunities for local communities.
The unfortunate side effect is emerging opportunities for child sex offenders to access
isolated communities and children.