Some of the Cape Town signatories to The Code Front row (left to right): Coral - Cape Town; Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa Executive Director Jennifer Seif; Cape Town Tourism; Greenways. Middle row (left to right): Taj Hotel; Cape Grace Hotel; Thebe Tourism Group; Abang Africa. Back row (left to right): City Sightseeing; Winchester Mansions; Fairfield Tours; Westin Grand

Since its inception in 2004 Cape Town Tourism has proudly, and vocally, forged ahead with its commitment to responsible tourism development in Cape Town and, as a leader in the field, is proud to launch the Tourism Child Protection Code of Conduct (“The Code”) in Cape Town in partnership with Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA).

The Code is an international voluntary initiative by the travel and tourism industry to protect children and prevent the effects of child sex tourism including human trafficking, child pornography and child prostitution. The Code has been endorsed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization and signed by nearly 1000 companies in more than 35 countries across the globe.

In South Africa, Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA), the country’s leading responsible tourism NGO, is the mandated Local Code Representative responsible for assisting tourism companies of all shapes and sizes to sign The Code. Currently supported by funding and advisory partners the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), FTTSA has this week announced the first ever South Africa Code signatories on the eve of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. CEO of Cape Town Tourism, Mariette du Toit Helmbold, takes seriously the subject of child sex tourism and human trafficking; “We are pleased to have the backing of the South African government and Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA), as well as Cape Town Tourism members behind our message to people coming to Cape Town with the intention of causing trouble. Cape Town Tourism has always maintained that there is a dark underbelly to tourism that ultimately needs to be proactively dealt with. The sexual exploitation of women and children is a global problem, but it often goes hand in hand with developing societies such as ours and major international events like the FIFA World Cup,” du Toit goes on to say, “Cape Town’s message to the world is simple; If you are coming to our city to take advantage of our children, you are not welcome!”.

The first ever Cape Town signatories of The Code are: Cape Town Tourism, Taj Cape Town, City Sightseeing, Greenways Hotel, the Westin Grand Cape Town Arabella Quays, Hotel le Vendome, the Winchester Mansions, Coral International Cape Town, Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Abang Africa Trust, Spier, The Backpack and Africa Travel Centre, Cape Grace, Bickley House and Antrim Villa, Fairfield Tours South Africa and Thebe Tourism Group.

FTTSA Executive Director, Jennifer Seif believes that protecting vulnerable children is a critical element of '2010 readiness' and that improved child protection will emerge as a key tourism legacy of the mega event: “The South African tourism industry recognizes that child sexual exploitation is a growing problem in South Africa and that we must all do our part as members of the industry to prevent and report child abuse. The private sector is uniquely positioned to educate and mobilize not only tourists but also tourism workers who in turn will be empowered to take action at home and in communities.”

In parallel to launching the first‐ever Code Signatories in South Africa, FTTSA is driving the tourism component of a national “Let’s Give the Red Card to Child Exploitation” campaign by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), aimed at reducing risks to vulnerable children during the mega‐event. Beyond the FIFA 2010 World Cup™ the campaign will roll out on a broader basis.

In Cape Town, awareness and implementation of The Code is being encouraged by Cape Town Tourism together with FTTSA. Today, Wednesday, 9 June 2010 was the Cape Town launch date, as soccer fans prepare to bring their Euros, Dollars and Pounds into the country providing short term temptation to the vulnerable and less fortunate.

Tourism businesses of are encouraged to join the cause and fight the exploitation of children in Cape Town and throughout South Africa. Businesses that choose to embrace the principles of responsible tourism by implementing The Code will have to commit to certain measures, namely:

1. To establish an ethical corporate policy regarding the sexual exploitation of children.
2. To train establishment personnel in prevention measures and Code contact personnel.
3. To introduce clauses in supplier contracts stating a common alliance against the exploitation of minors.
4. Provide information to travellers (eg: brochures, posters, in‐flight videos, ticket slips, home pages, etc).
5. To provide information and help centre details to key people at the tourist destination as well as to travellers, and
6. To report back annually on incidents and progress.

CEO of Cape Town Tourism, Mariette du Toit Helmbold concludes: “Cape Town Tourism encourages Cape Town tourism companies to get on board and sign up to The Code. Help us make Cape Town a better, more responsible destination – both during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and beyond.”