Brooklyn, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/12/2016 -- ECPAT-USA and Altruvistas are proud to continue a joint partnership to lead tourists to Colombia and Thailand to experience first-hand how the travel and tourism industry are combating human trafficking.

Last year ECPAT-USA and Altruvistas announced that a groundbreaking journey to Thailand where travelers learned about trafficking and sexual exploitation. The trip turned out to be a life-changing experience for participants. Lawyer and journey participant Karen Weiss described the trip as "AMAZING, INCREDIBLE, and THRILLING!!" Read more on her day-by-day blog about the trip and adventures. Photos of this first trip are posted on Facebook.

On the heels of that successful journey, another ECPAT-USA trip to Thailand is planned for later this year, plus an entirely new destination has been added. This May, ECPAT-USA, in partnership with Altruvistas, will lead a trip to Cartagena, Colombia called Behind The CODE: An ECPAT Advocacy Journey to Colombia.

The Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (a.k.a. The Code) is a joint venture between the tourism private sector and ECPAT-USA. The Code is the only voluntary set of business principles travel and tour companies can implement to prevent child sex tourism and trafficking of children. Altruvistas is proud to be the first tour operator to sign The Code, and many tourist institutions have signed since–including Hilton Worldwide.

Like the inaugural journey to Thailand last year, this trip will give travelers an educative perspective about the issue of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, along with sharing the inspiring work being done on the ground to combat it. This journey focuses on how the travel industry fights trafficking, and how tourists can Travel for Good. Travelers will also get to explore the culture and history of Colombia, along with its beautiful beaches. And as an added bonus, a portion of the proceeds from the trip will help support ECPAT's work, along with other anti-trafficking groups doing work on the ground.

Sarah Porter explains what makes this inaugural trip to Colombia special, "We are so excited about this next journey! It will truly be a meaningful adventure in a fascinating place. By joining an Advocacy Journey, travelers get access to education and experiences that they wouldn't have through a "normal" vacation or tour operator." If the last ECPAT-USA journey is any indication, there is no doubt that this journey will be a unique, memorable experience for participants.

Join us on a meaningful adventure!

Journey to Colombia with ECPAT-USA in May
If you're interested in traveling with ECPAT-USA to Cartagena, Colombia over this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, May 27-31: Visit http://www.altruvistas.com/upcoming-journeys/colombia/ for more info, or email sporter@ecpatusa.org for more details and costs.

You can also download the itinerary here.

Journey to Thailand with ECPAT-USA in November
Come travel with ECPAT-USA November 27th – December 7th, 2016 as we return to Thailand! Once again this trip to Thailand will educate participants about the issue of trafficking, meet the advocates who are working to combat it, and learn about how the travel industry plays a role. Email sporter@ecpatusa.org for more details and how to register.

See vibrant photographs from the last ECPAT-USA Thailand journey to get the full picture and view the itinerary here. Visit ECPAT-USA's website for more info about both upcoming trips.

About ECPAT
ECPAT International is a network comprised of over 80 organizations, represented in 75 countries. ECPAT-USA is the American affiliate of the international network and recognized as one of the primary organizations focused on ending this form of child exploitation and abuse. The mission of ECPAT-USA is to ensure that children everywhere are not bought, sold, or used for sex. ECPAT-USA undertakes policy and legislative advocacy, private sector engagement, research, training, and working with youth, all focused on preventing children being commercially sexually exploited.

http://www.ecpatusa.org/