In a world where travel experiences are more immersive than ever, the tourism industry faces a critical question: how do we ensure our desire to “give back” doesn’t unintentionally do harm? Join us on 4th June 2025 for a vital conversation about child safeguarding in tourism, hosted by Natalie Lyall-Grant, Positive Impact Manager at Jacada Travel, and Torie McElwain from global child protection organisation ChildSafe.
This thought-provoking session will unpack the urgent and often overlooked realities of how children are impacted by tourism. From the visible risks to the psychological effects, Natalie will guide us through the ethics of child engagement and why simply having good intentions isn’t enough. Torie brings her on-the-ground expertise to the conversation with practical do’s and don’ts for safeguarding, gathered from years of working beyond the tourism lens. Together, Natalie and Torie will share actionable frameworks, such as Jacada’s internal flag system, and explore how tour operators, guides, and hoteliers can adopt child safeguarding protocols across their networks.
Key topics include:
Understanding consent: children under 18 cannot give it, and we cannot profit from their image or participation.
The fine line between marketing and exploitation — especially when it comes to photography and storytelling.
What constitutes inappropriate interaction
Why voluntourism involving children is problematic, and how to shift to ethical community support.
How children in tourism destinations often lack awareness of “stranger danger” and what the industry can do about it.
The webinar will also spotlight TCTF members who have made strides by embedding child safeguarding into their supply chains and guest communications. Expect candid reflections on the challenges of change, along with tools to help you communicate these shifts with clients, partners and team members.
With a focus on community-based tourism (CBT) that does not involve direct contact with children, Natalie will spotlight alternative, powerful ways tourism can benefit local communities — empowering them to care for and protect their youngest members without turning them into attractions