THE CODE is a global initiative aimed at preventing child sexual exploitation in the travel and tourism industry. It operates as a membership-based program where companies commit to six essential criteria designed to protect children from exploitation, trafficking, and abuse. The initiative aligns with frameworks like the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and supports various UN Sustainable Development Goals related to child protection and sustainable tourism.
Members of THE CODE have access to a range of tools and resources. These include a Child Protection Risk Assessment Tool, which helps businesses identify risks and take protective actions, and a Core Competencies Framework for tourism education professionals. The initiative also offers guidance on voluntourism, webinars sharing best practices, and collaborative efforts to prevent family separation and institutionalization. Through these resources, THE CODE positions the travel and tourism sector as part of the solution to child exploitation.