Brooklyn, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/10/2016 -- On April 17th, during the travel industry conference ACTE (Association of Corporate Travel Executives), HRS and ECPAT-USA launched a joint campaign to focus on how the travel industry can combat trafficking. ECPAT-USA works in close partnership with the travel and tourism industry to ensure that children are not exploited or used for sex, and to implement the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct. The Code is an internationally accepted industry-driven corporate social responsibility framework that helps companies in the travel and tourism industry. The Code's six guidelines require companies to put in place policies and programs to protect children from sexual exploitation and trafficking. HRS recently joined The Code, and is committed to using their resources and influence to protect children from exploitation. During the conference HRS announced that for every signed business card collected, HRS would make a $5 donation to ECPAT-USA's work to combat child sex trafficking.

Sarah Porter, Director of Development and Partnerships for ECPAT-USA stated, "When HRS learned about this issue, they immediately wanted to have an impact and use their corporate structure to help ensure that children have the right to grow up free. They are using their voice and commitment to motivate the industry to get involved in our work."

The campaign ran throughout the duration of the conference and raised $2000 for ECPAT-USA's programs, all dedicated to combating sex trafficking here in the US. Some of the participants included Hilton Worldwide, Carlson Rezidor, Sabre, Lyft, Toyota, Wyndham, BCD Travel, American Airlines, and Delta.

About ECPAT-USA
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/

About HRS
HRS is a hotel booking portal for business and private travellers. More than 300,000 hotels in 190 countries and more than 400,000 holiday homes and apartments in Europe are offered for booking in the portal.

http://www.hrs.com/