A groundbreaking initiative aimed at safeguarding children and families in Sri Lanka’s Tourism sector was launched in Colombo, on World Tourism Day.
The Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business in Tourism is the country’s first multistakeholder effort of its kind. Representatives from leading hotel businesses, tourism associations, NGOs and government departments gathered to mark the occasion, discussing how the tourism supply chain can better protect vulnerable groups, particularly children.
The launch followed a study conducted by The Centre for Child Rights and Business in partnership with Save the Children, which revealed significant child rights risks in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. The report highlighted challenges such as sexual exploitation, child labour and educational disruptions, exacerbated by inadequate regulation of guesthouses and homestays, a lack of child safeguarding protocols, and insufficient opportunities for youth employment.
Building on the success of the similar initiative in Sri Lanka’s tea sector, where several major plantation companies committed to enhancing their communities and businesses, the Seal’s expansion into tourism is timely. With over three million tourists expected by 2025, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is positioned to align with global human rights due diligence requirements, addressing the growing demand for ethical and responsible tourism.
During the launch, stakeholders engaged in discussions about the critical issues facing women and children in tourism, with panelists like Buddhini Withana from Save the Children and Irstel Janssen from Sustainable Sri Lanka highlighting the need for better protections and working conditions for women in the sector. A representative who presented the keynote speech from Cinnamon Hotels also showcased their commitment to safeguarding women and children through progressive policies on sexual harassment, mental health and parental leave.
The Mother and Child-Friendly Seal aims to create lasting change in the tourism industry by moving away from traditional audit-based approaches and encouraging long-term sustainable commitments from businesses.
All tourism stakeholders are encouraged to join the Seal and implement action plans focused on transparency, human rights and gender equity, contributing to a more ethical tourism sector in Sri Lanka.
