BE AN INFORMED AND RESPECTFUL TRAVELLER

• Abide local and national rules and laws
• Do not form part of any sexual exploitation towards children & adolescents, corruption or human trafficking which go against human rights. Do not collaborate with crimes that could have legal consequences
• Be informed of how you can access medical assistance o contact your home country embassy (for foreign tourists) in case of an emergency
• Be informed of meteorological conditions when you plan to access mountain zones or areas with varying hydro meteorological conditions. If you plan on venturing off on your own or in a group, inform and register with local park rangers, area supervisors or other pertinent institutions
• Obtain information from official public or private tourism information providers who have objective and updated data which abide with local laws and regulations

VALUE LOCAL CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

• Local artistic, archeological and cultural patrimony deserve respect
• Be informed about the place you are visiting: its history, customs, traditions, gastronomy, norms, religion, local expressions and other data that can provide a better idea of how locals live and interact. Having this knowledge will open doors to the unknown
• Learn some of the words in the native language in order to establish a more meaningful contact with the local community
• Respect and protect all of which make the destination a unique spot, everything from its history, its architecture, its natural and cultural values such as: religion, music, art, gastronomy, amongst others. For example, solicit contentment to take photographs inside churches, at national monuments or of the local community

RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT

• Purchase products that do not require the use of endangered plants or animals for their production
• Prefer to take group outings which save resources, money, and fuel and diminish their carbon footprint. Try to find the most efficient and less contaminating way of getting around
• Reduce, reuse and recycle solid residues during your trip. Bring your own water bottle to refill, avoid purchasing products with unnecessary wrappers and do not accept plastic bags to receive products that can be carried by other means
• Reduce the consumption of water and electricity in the touristic spots you visit (ask to use your towels and sheets for more than one day and remember to turn off the lights, heating and air conditioning when leaving a room)

SUPPORT LOCAL ECONOMY

• Prefer purchasing local artisanal products, this will contribute with the economic development of local families and small scale businesses
• Treat local artisans and business owners with respect and kindness. Promote fair trade between producers and consumers
• Do not buy products that are evidently counterfeit or that are prohibited by local and national laws
• Abide by local laws when purchasing touristic services to avoid frauds and swindles. Prefer touristic services which are provided by local communities
• Be informed about products that have legal restrictions for entering or leaving the country

BE CAUTIOUS WHEN VISITING WILD, PATRIMONIAL, ARQUEALOGICAL AREAS OR OTHERS THAT SEEM FRAGILE AND/OR VALUABLE

• Do not throw garbage in sites that are not allowed. Do not burn, cut down, or apply toxic substances that may harm local flora or fauna. Learn to observe without touching and do not disturb the peace and balance the mother nature provides
• Choose trails that cause less impact on the nature, prioritizing existing paths. Prefer guided visits, avoiding accidents and diminishing erosion and soil compaction in protected areas.
• Do not incur in crimes against nature. If you visit a protected area, remember to abide by the local regulations which were created to preserve these spots and local species that may be endangered and are of great ecological value
• Do not feed wild fauna
• Respect the signs and directions established in the spots you visit. This will allow a safer visit for you, your family and the environment
• Do not remove natural resources, for example: rocks, fossils, shells, plants, flowers or others from their natural environment

Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents (ESNNA for its acronym in Spanish) is an issue that directly violates children and adolescents’’ fundamental rights. It consists in the involvement of minors in sexual acts or representations of sexual or erotic nature, to satisfy the interests or desires of others in exchange of economic gain or other monetary benefit. This involves abusive behavior against children and adolescents, in which their elemental rights are taken from them.

• WHAT IS ESNNA IN TOURISIM?

It is the sexual exploitation of children & adolescents by a person or people, who have traveled form their place of origin or home country, with the objective of having sexual contact with children & adolescents, occasionally or as their main purpose.

A sexual tourist will frequently use accommodation, transportation and other services related with tourism, which facilitate contact with children & adolescents and allow the perpetuator to maintain a discreet presence amongst other people and their surrounding environment.

• MODALITY

Sexual relations in exchange of money or other favors

Use of children & adolescents in pornography

Sexual tourism

Sexual exploitation of children & adolescents for commerce

• CONSEQUENCES FOR CHILDREN & ADOLECENTS

Risk of sexually transmitted infections

Premature pregnancies

Health problems as a result of abuse, hunger and cold temperatures

Mental issues involving identity disorders, low self-esteem and difficulties interacting with others

• CONSEQUENCES FOR THE TOURISITC DESTINATION

Loss of positioning in the tourism market and a raise of unemployment rates

Safety consequences which affect tourism and relate the destination with crimes such as murder, drug trafficking and violations to human rights

Touristic businesses involved in facilitating this crime can be closed permanently and business owners can face life sentences in jail

• WHAT CAN WE DO TO AVOID THIS PROBLEM FORM GROWING?

Maintaining a negative stance on ESNNA, adverting lengthy jail sentences

Involving authorities, Public Ministries or the National Police, en any ESNNA case

Keep the following numbers handy:

Ministry of Interior Safety: 0800-2-3232

Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Parts of Society: 100

National Police

Children & Adolescents defense offices