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WHAT IS SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM?
Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism is the commercial sexual exploitation of children by a person or persons who travel from one place to another, utilise the facilities available in the tourism industry (such as accommodation, transportation, etc), and engage in sexual contact with children below 18 years old. They may travel from developed to less-developed countries and can be domestic travelers or travelers from within the region. They may be also travelers within the country who do not travel for tourism purposes, such as business persons, salesmen, professionals seeking to work in schools or NGOs, lorry drivers, drivers delivering goods, etc.
Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism involves a form of transaction (e.g. money or other forms of gifts or in kind) made to a child or a third party in exchange for sexual contact with the child. The sexual exploitation of children occurs in multiple venues - from brothels in red-light districts to beaches or five-star hotels - in urban, rural or coastal settings.
WHY ARE CHILDREN EXPLOITED IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM?
Being regarded as an anonymous person or a person who is not known in a destination country reducing the individual's usual external inhibitors can induce a sense of being free from responsibility, social virtues and cultural standards of practice of one's own country. Therefore, the individual may be inclined to experiment with what they would not have even thought of doing in their own country or in their usual external environment. While the boom of travel and tourism industries around the world results in economic growth and job opportunities for tourist destination countries, sadly an increase in sexual exploitation of children can also come with it. Many factors contribute to the occurrence and continuation of such phenomena. Often times, it is said that it is due to poverty and economic inequality between countries. Other factors can also include misguided beliefs which child sex abusers commonly apply to justify their actions, for example:
» Making an excuse that nowadays children physically grow quicker than their ages and that children consented to sex;
» Believing that sexual contact with children is common in some countries;
» Making an excuse that buying sex from children is a way to help them and their families escape from poverty;
» Believing that sex with children is a safe way to be free from HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Sexual exploitation of children is a serious crime. It has a long term negative impact on the child victim in many aspects, e.g. psychological health of the child, child development, etc. It also negatively affects the society as a whole by violating children's human rights to protection and development.
THE IMPACTS ON CHILD VICTIMS
Regardless of the backgrounds of children experiencing sexual exploitation in travel and tourism, such experiences leave them with mental and physical damage. They may become depressed and have low self-worth, which may lead some of them to commit suicide. Furthermore, as children physically are not ready for such sexual contact, they are particularly vulnerable to being infected by sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/ AIDS. They are often negatively labeled by their communities. They can also find it hard to continue their education in formal and non-formal systems. Sexual exploitation of children is a serious crime in almost all countries, including Thailand. Thai law stipulates that a child is a person who is below 18 years of age.
Those who sexually exploit children will be legally punished, regardless of their nationalities.
WHO ARE THE VICTIMS?
Some child victims of sexual exploitation in travel and tourism are from dysfunctional families or families facing economic hardship. Some are from ethnic minority groups, migrant communities or marginalised communities. They can be boys and girls. Some may already suffer from domestic violence and negligence. Some may already have entered the world of work, especially in some entertainment sectors where their earnings are irregular making them particularly vulnerable to becoming a victim of sexual exploitation in travel and
tourism.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Thailand is a country possessing wonderful culture and beautiful nature with rich ethnic culture in the scenic hillsides and the beaches that are renowned for natural beauty. Its hospitality, fun and lively atmosphere offer impressive and wonderful experiences to many tourists. What You can Do:
FOR TRAVELERS AND TOURISTS
No matter whether you are a Thai or Foreign traveler or tourist, you can contribute to eliminating the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism by
» Only use services from hotels, tour companies and travel agencies that have a code of practice to protect children from sexual exploitation in travel and tourism in place
» Learn about related local child protection laws and culture before traveling
» Encourage the private sector in travel and tourism where you regularly use their services to develop or adopt a child protection policy if they do not have one
» Report to a relevant representative of your travel agency, hotel manager, police, non-governmental organization or Prachabodi Centre – a government hotline 1300 if you see or suspect a child of being sexually exploited.
FOR TOURISM BUSINESSES
» Develop a corporate social responsibility programme on child protection
» Sign the Child Protection Code to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation in Tourism and Travel (www.thecode.org)
» Educate tourists on the problems related to sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism
» Train staff to raise their awareness on the matter so that they can help prevent sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism and report when seeing or suspecting such a case
» Join in activities to prevent children from sexual exploitation in travel and tourism
6 STEPS TO PROTECT CHILDREN
The Code is an industry-driven responsible tourism initiative which provides awareness, tools and support to tourism companies in order to prevent the sexual exploitation of children.
Member companies implement the six criteria of The Code into their everyday operations to turn child protection principles into concrete actions that will help protect children:
1 - TO ESTABLISH A POLICY AND PROCEDURES
against sexual exploitation of children.
2 - TRAIN EMPLOYEES
in children's rights, the prevention of sexual exploitation and how to report suspected cases.
3 - INCLUDE A CLAUSE IN CONTRACTS
throughout the value chain stating a common repudiation and zero tolerance policy of sexual exploitation of children.
4 - PROVIDE INFORMATION TO TRAVELERS
on children's rights, the prevention of sexual exploitation of children and how to report suspected cases.
5 - SUPPORT, COLLABORATE & ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS
in the prevention of sexual exploitation of children.
6 - REPORT ANNUALLY
on your implementation of The Code.
KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE
We dream of a world where children are safe and free. Where no child is abused by tourists.
Sadly, today many children are victims of sexual exploitation through tourism. The United Nations estimates that 150 million girls and 73 million boys under 18 years of age experience sexual exploitation or other forms of sexual violence. These crimes happen in every country and across all social groups.
Tourism is not the cause of these crimes, yet many offenders travel to commit abuse. This means tourism professionals like you have the unique opportunity to help stop the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism. If one of your staff suspects abuse and reports it, offenders can be prosecuted and more children will be safe.
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It is very safe, if you do NOT visit the remote border areas, where there are militants in the mountains.
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Here are top 10 tourist Attractions in Myanmar, although this may vary due to different presenters.
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If you have an hour for a video tour all around the country. here is a good presentation for you.
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info This mysterious Reh Lake (as some call it, Lovers' Heart Lake) is a heart-shaped lake in Chin State, with color-changing phenomenon. This could be frontiers to explore for the most adventurous lovers. Are you one of those?
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10 Things to do in Myanmar includes balooning. biking. and traveling all around the country. Please sit back and enjoy a 2-minute presentation.
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Myanmar famous mohinga is 1 of the most common typical Myanmar noodle dish in fish soup. Pundits say that the world is at the dawn of a New Golden Age of travel. Growing affluence and leisure of the middle class not only in Europe but also in Asia, combined to spur the travel itch, thus opening further new frontiers for travel.
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There are 9 ethnic Bamar groups:
86. Bamar (Burman)
87. Dawei of Dawei city
88. Beik
89. Yaw
90. Yabein
91. Kadu (Kado)
92. Ganan
93. Salone (Salon; Moken)
94. Hpon
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Hot Air Balloon Ride is an incredible experience which gives you the breathtaking aerial views of the destinations you are visiting. In Myanmar. hot air balloon rides are available in Bagan. Inle. Mandalay and Ngapali.
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There could be many reasons. But for a typical modern crowd. we have listed a few.
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History of Mandalay
Mandalay (မန္တလေး), as the center of Myanmar culture, was outstanding in the past, and it will continue to be a place of pride of Myanmar in the future.
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info Inle Lake is 22km long and about 11km wide. The lake is at 1328 metres above sea level. Inle is one of the most popular tourist destination in the Shan State.
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Cocks Comb Island
info Cocks Comb Island (Heart Lake Island), (ကြက်မောက်ကျွန်း) is 1 of the most amazing islands in the world. located in the southern waters of Myanmar. with a heart-shaped lake on top of it. The nearest hotel to this island is on Horse Shoe Island. There are no hotel.
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The Moken (also spelled as Mawken or Morgan (ဆလုံ) are widely known as Sea Gypsies or the Sea Nomads of the Myeik Archipelago, natives of of approximately 800 islands in the Myanmar and Thailand seas. The Moken speak the Moken language, a distinct Austronesian language. Moken (Sea Gypsies)
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Ngapali was named after Naples Beach of Asia. Best Beaches in Myanmar video reveals the crystal clear waters of Myanmar to experience, with lots of drone-shot arial views. Ngapali Beach
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Myanmar Entry Visa
Tourist visa
A valid Passport with Entry Visa is required of all visitors. A Tourist Visa allows a stay of 28 days, extendible for an additional 14 days.
Overland entry is permitted for Thai tourists with border pass and for third party tourists with visa at Tachileik, Three Pagoda Pass, Myawaddy and Kawthaung check points along Myanmar-Thai Border; and for Chinese tourists with border pass and for third party tourists with visa at Lweje, Nam Kham, Muse , Kyukoke, Kwanlong, Mont Lar along Myanmar-China Border.
Business Visa
A valid passport with Entry visa is required for all businessmen, applicable at Myanmar Embassies and Consulate General Offices abroad. A Business Visa allows a stay of 28 days, extendible up to 12 months on a case-by-case basis. Visa on Arrival is granted on prior arrangement with the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.
Visa On Arrival
Visa on Arrival will be suspended at the Yangon and Mandalay International Airports starting from 1st September, 2010 till further notice.The Visa on Arrival rules is (temporarily) back to the previous where tourist visa have to be applied before arrival.But Visa on arrival is still available to request through a travel agency.It is necessary to send your photo by email, fax or by post.To apply for visa on arrival, the information of the clients as follows is necessary:- full names
- fathers name
- nationality
- religion
- profession
- current address of your employment
- if retired then former address of your employment
- your address
- date of birth
- passport number
- date of issue
- validity
- arrival and departure day/time
- international flight numbers
- 1 passport picture (scan the picture and send)
- Copy of passport - scannedNormally it take a week or less – but – in worst case it can take up to 3 weeks to get the approval, as all applications have to be send to Nay Pyi Taw (the new capital).You have to show the copy at the check-in counter for your flight to Yangon and also upon arrival at Yangon International Airport.Please bring also 2 passport pictures each with you. The Immigration at Yangon International Airport will issue the visa for you.
How to Apply Visa for entering Myanmar
Please see http://www.MyanmarTravelsAndTours.com
Visa Extension
Fill in the Extension form.
If you are sure you will be need Visa Extension before you arrive, you can give us the form, your original passport and 2 photos and USD 50 for 2 weeks extension.
If you are not sure, print out this form and call us at 204020 when you are in Yangon. We will collect Recommendation for your hotel the form, passport, 2 photos and 50 USD for 2 weeks extension.
For Visa 1st one must obtain a letter of endorsement from Ministry of Hotel & Tourism and then submit to Ministry of Immigration. It will take at least 2 days and max 5 days to get Tourist Visa extended.
If you home any Further Question Please refer to our FAQ section or send us an e-mail.
For further information, you can also visit
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://www.mofa.gov.mm
The Union of Myanmar Travel Association http://www.umtanet.com
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Diving is one of the most exciting and unforgettable part of an adventurous trip. There are several diving sites in Myanmar and the best ones out of them include Myeik Archipelago (Mergui Archipelago), Ngapali Beach & Ngwesaung Beach.
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Photo Credit - www.pinterest.com
info In the capital city of Yangon, you will can see the magnificent fabulous Shwedagon Pagoda (ရွှေတိဂုံဘုရား) from almost anywhere.
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info Mrauk U was once. one of the most powerful kingdom in history. The Rakhine King "Min Saw Mon" founded Mrauk U in 1433. Mrauk U was a leading trade city during its time. and abundant networks of canals allowed small and large vessels to go by. Merchants of Mrauk U traded with Middle East. Asia. Holland. Portugal and Spain.