Responsible Travel

Be a child safe travel school

Children working and living in tourist areas are especially vulnerable to physical, emotional and sexual abuse. When your school travels we encourage your students and staff to take the following actions that have been put forward by World Vision in order to help create a safer tourism environment for children.

If you are concerned about the welfare of any child, tell your tour guide immediately.
Instead of giving money directly to children who are begging or selling food or souvenirs, support their families and communities or donate to reputable children’s charities.
Treat children like you would in your home country. Before taking photos of children, always ask for their permission.
Never take a child anywhere without the supervision and permission of their parents or guardian.
Before visiting or volunteering with vulnerable children, research the organisation to ensure they have standards and procedures that protect children’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Please do not support ‘orphanage tourism’.

Spread the word about child safe tourism. Share this information with your friends and family while you travel and when you return home.

View World Vision’s ‘Be A Child Safe Traveller’ and visit childsafetourism.org for more information on how you can protect vulnerable children.

Our Child Protection Code of Conduct

Modelled after World Vision’s ‘Child Protection and Trafficking Best Practice’ protocol, our Child Protection Code of Conduct is in place for itineraries where adult travellers are volunteering at a school for more than 24 hours.