This
is an exploratory study of the attention or more obvious
the lack of attention given to public policy regarding the
travelling child. There is very little information and less
consistency on the variety of health and safety issues that
may endanger children. Indeed, pets are required to have
more documentation and safety regimens than children. As
a consequence of policy in attention to the travelling child,
children are at risk from traffickers and parental abductions,
as well as health and security risks of which they and their
parents may be unaware. International policy largely consists
of non-binding advice, and as demonstrated, carrier by carrier
decisions regarding travel whether alone or with parents.
The lack of international policy or even national policies
also leaves the tourism industry vulnerable and in chaos
with respect to the care of children. The paper documents
a variety of areas in which international public policy
is needed to protect the millions of travelling children.
|
